Oct 12, 2021 Commissioners Court

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE SPEAKERS FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

>> NEXT IS JUAN PAREZ. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I AM HERE TODAY WITH ALL DUE RESPECT IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION HONORING FRANCE SC, FARENTHOLD AND SHE WOULD TELL YOU, JUST CALL MAY SISSY.

I WAS INTRODUCED TO HER AT A MEETING.

BACK IN THE DAY WHEN SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW HER AS WELL AND WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NUECES COUNTY.

I QUICKLY LEARNED THAT SISSY WAS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF WORKERS RIGHTS TO JOIN AND FORM A UNION AND BELIEVED IN EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN. [INAUDIBLE].

PARTICULARLY YOUNG LAW -- LATINA FROM CORPUS CHRISTI.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD, MR. PAREZ.

>> THANK YOU. WHAT MARKED HER TENACITY AND ACTIVISM. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING SISSY ON OTHER OCCASIONS SUCH AS WHENEVER SHE WOULD INVITE US TO SPEAK AT THE CHAPEL ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE IMPACTED MINORITIES [INAUDIBLE] HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL.

SISSY AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN HER CONCERN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT IMPACT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. LASTLY SISSY CARED FOR ALL OF GOD'S CREATION, MOTHER EARTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

PLEASE KEEP HER IN YOUR PRAYERS.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THE LAST SPEAKER FOR THIS RESOLUTION IS DAVID ATWOOD. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MR. ATWOOD? OKAY.

HE MUST HAVE DROPPED. WE'LL TRY TO GET HIM BACK ON.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. JUST ONE SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO YOUR RESOLUTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY FIRST RESOLUTION WILL BE IN HONOR OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. WE HAVE A PHENOMENAL LEADER WE ARE RECOGNIZING. HER NAME IS LUZ LOPEZ.

[00:20:04]

THIS RESOLUTION READS, CELEBRATING IS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WE RECOGNIZE A COMMUNITY LEADER ORIGINALLY FROM TABASCO, MEXICO, GREAT PLACE IF YOU HAVEN'T VISITED.

MS. LUZ LOPEZ WHO HAS CALLED CLOVERLEAF HER HOME SINCE 1985 AND WHEREAS HERMAN -- HER MENTOR AND GO TO HERO, THE PRINCIPAL OF SAM HOUSTON ELEMENTARY ENCOURAGES HER AND STILL THEY DESIRE TO KEEP LEARNING WHICH LEAD HER TO BECOME CLASS PRESIDENT WHEN SHE GRADUATED FROM NORTH SHORE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. AND WHERE SHE CREDITS HER PARENTS FOR PASSING ON THE VALUES OF HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND THE PURSUIT OF IDEAS AND DREAMS, THE LEG -- THE LEGACY TO HELP STRUGGLING AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES INSPIRED HER TO GET INVOLVED IN CLOVERLEAF AND TRIED TO LEAVE AN IMPACT ON HER FELLOW FAMILIES THAT ALSO CALL CLOVERLEAF THEIR HOME. AND WHEREAS HER FATHER, A NAVY VETERAN SENIOR ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES AT THE LEON GRAYSON COMMUNITY CENTER, LUZ REALIZED HER TRUE PASSION TO HELP THE FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS TODAY, LUZ SHARES THE SAME VALUES WITH HER FIVE CHILDREN ENCOURAGING THEM TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND IS PROUD THAT THEY HAVE GROWN TO BE AMAZING VETERANS OF ARMY, NAVY AND STILL SERVE OUR COUNTRY WITH HUMILITY AND RESPECT.

AND WHEREAS SHE NOW HAS A MULL FIE -- MULTI-SERVICE BUSINESS THAT EDUCATES FAMILIES AND GIVES WORKSHOPS ON LEGAL RIGHTS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LUZ IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE THAT LOVES TO HELP AND CONNECT PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES.

WHEREAS LUZ SAYS SHE WONDERS WHAT I WILL BE A PART OF NEXT. MY JOURNEY HAS TAKEN ME SO FAR FROM MY STARTING POINT WHEN I WAS BORN IN MEXICO.

I TRULY WONDER WHERE LIFE WILL TAKE ME NEXT AND WHAT GOALS I WILL HAVE IN THE FUTURE. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES MS. LUZ LOPEZ FOR HER SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND PRECINCT 2 RESIDENTS IN PARTICULAR IN CLEAVER LEAVE.

CLOVERLEAF. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MS. LOPEZ, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> SHE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN PERSON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. IS SHE -- I GUESS SHE HAS NOT MADE IT YET. DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE?

>> NO, SIR, THAT WAS ALL FOR THIS ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE'LL RECOGNIZE HER WHEN SHE ARRIVES. AND I HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION, BUT THEY ARE GETTING IT FOR ME.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE ONE I WOULD LIKE TO DO FIRST BECAUSE HE IS HERE. [INAUDIBLE] I TRIED -- I WILL TRY TO BE QUICK. HE HAS BEEN HERE A LONGTIME AND I CERTAINLY WILL NOT RUSH HIS, BUT JUDGE, IT SAYS TAKE HIS MASK OFF SO HE CAN HEAR ME.

>> FEWER PEOPLE HAVE HAD NOT AS MUCH OF AN IMPACT THAN ROBERT M BOB YEARY. HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

UH BOFF ALL BOB -- ABOVE ALL HE LISTENS TOEN AND COURAGES THOSE HE WORKS WITH FOR THE BETTER MEANT OF OUR CITY.

AND WHEREAS ROBERT YEARY EARNED A MASTERS OF ARCHITECTURE IN URBAN DESIGN FROM RICE UNIVERSITY AND A BACHELOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI.

HE IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH AND BOARD MEMBER AND FORMER FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP AND AN EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER OF THE GREEN CONSERVE VEN SEE AMONG -- CONSERVE VEN SEE AMONG MANY OTHERS. BOB EURY IS TRULY TREASURED BY THE TEAMS HE LEAVES HE UNDERSTANDS PROTOCOLS AND LOCAL LAWS THAT IS PARTLY WHY HE IS SO EFFECTIVE OF BRINGING SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE ROLE THEY CAN PLAY IN GETTING THINGS DONE. AS A LIFE-LONG PROBLEM SOLVER HE SHAPED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF METRORAIL AND REVITALIZATION OF MARKET SQUARE AND

[00:25:02]

GROUND-BREAKING PROJECTS LIKE BUFFALO BAYOU PARK AND MUCH MORE. THEREFORE BE P RESOLVED -- BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT CONGRATULATE BOB EURY IN DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN AND MAKING IT A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I KNEW HIM BEFORE I ENDED UP IN PUBLIC OFFICE. THAT MEANS I HAVE KNOWN YOU A LONGTIME, BOB EURY. I CAN REMEMBER BEING ON CITY COUNCIL AND TAKING A TRIP. I THINK WHEN I CALLED YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT -- I THINK I WAS IN CHARLOTTE.

THEY HAD STATUTES IN DOWNTOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT WAS A FAIRLY DEPRESSED DOWNTOWN AREA.

HE WAS COMING BACK AND WE SAID WHY CAN'T WE DO THIS IN HOUSTON. HE SAID WE ARE WORKING ON IT.

IF YOU CAN GIVE US MONEY WE CAN DO IT QUICKER.

JUDGE, YOU ASKED ME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ABOUT THE REMEMBRANCE PARK DOWNTOWN. PART OF THE CHALLENGE OF RAISING OUTSIDE MONEY IS WE HAVE TO HAVE -- LIKE THE FORD FOUNDATION. BOB THOUGHT HE WAS RETIRING, BUT YOU HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT, WHETHER YOU ARE GONNA PUT IT TOGETHER OR FIND SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO IT SO WE CAN BRIGHTEN UP OUR END OF DOWNTOWN.

I REMEMBER COMING INTO COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND I SAID I KNOW WE HAVE THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPLEX HERE, BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN OUR END OF DOWNTOWN IS SO DEPRESSING. HE HAS COMMITTED TO HELP WITH THAT. I KNOW YOU HAVE TO STOP RUNNING. AT OUR AGE YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE KNEES. HE HAS GONE BIKING.

I CHALLENGED HIM AT ONE POINT TO GO, AND HE HAS NOT BEEN BACK SINCE. I HAVE A JERSEY FOR YOU.

IT SAYS "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE AN OLD MAN ON A BICYCLE." BOB EURY, WE LOVE YOU AND YOU HAVE REALLY MADE DOWNTOWN HOUSTON SUCH A MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO GO.

JUST HAVE TO GET TO OUR END, THIS EDGE OVER HERE, ON THE IMPORTANT BAYOU WHERE THE CITY WAS FOUNDED.

I THINK WHAT HAVE YOU DONE HAS BEEN A CATALYST FOR OTHER GREAT FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO INVEST.

THANK YOU, BOB EURY. I GUESS, JUDGE, HE IS HERE.

WE SHOULD LET HIM SPEAK. I DON'T WANT TO EMBARRASS

HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: MR. EURY?

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU.

[INAUDIBLE]. >> PLEASE TURN THE MICO ON AT

THE PODIUM. >> THERE WE GO.

THANK YOU. LET ME JUST SAY THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HERE AND TO YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.

I AM REALLY HONORED BY THIS RECOGNITION.

I JUST WANT TO SAY IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND SO MANY OTHERS IN THIS CITY AS WE SHAKE THE CENTER OF DOWNTOWN AND IN OUR WHOLE REGION.

I THOUGHT BACK AND I DON'T THINK THERE ARE MANY PLACES IN THE COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN MAKE AS MUCH CHANGE AS WE CAN IN HOUSTON. I KNOW SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT TAKES FOREVER, BUT WE MOVE QUICKLY WITH IDEAS AND MAKE THEM REAL. IT SHOULD BE PERVASIVE FOR EVERYBODY WHICH I TOTALLY APPRECIATE.

HAVING WORKED WITH YOU ALL FROM HARRIS COUNTY OVER THE YEARS ON MOBILITY AND RESILIENCY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HEALTH CARE AND PARKS AND OPEN SPACE AND OUR FACILITIES --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN CONTINUE ON.

>> I WILL BE SHORT. IT HAS BEEN GRATIFYING TO HAVE THE COLLABORATION WITH YOU ALL AND MANY OTHERS OVER TIME.

WE MADE GREAT STRIDES. WE HAVE FURTHER TO GO HERE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU IN ANYWAY I CAN IN MY RETIREMENT. I WANT TO SAY ONE THING AND THAT IS I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO WHAT I HAVE DONE WITHOUT A WONDERFUL TEAM OF BOTH EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE WORKED WITH ME OVER THE YEARS, MANY FOR MANY YEARS, BUT WITH VOLUNTEER LEADERS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE LEARNED FROM EVERYBODY.

I ONCE SAID I NEVER HAD A GOOD IDEA.

IT HAS ALWAYS COME FROM LISTENING TO OTHERS.

I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION. IT IS TRULY WONDERFUL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WANTED TO DO IT FIRST.

YEARS AGO -- I THINK I TOOK ONE OF MY SONS OVER AND THE

WHOLE ROOM OF TRAINS. >> GRAND KIDS ARE GROWN UP NOW.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? BOB, I WANT TO OFFER MY WORDS OF APPRECIATION TO YOU AS

[00:30:04]

WELL. WE WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER AND VISITED OFTEN AND SAW YOU AT CITY HALL.

I SERVED THERE AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT YOU WERE A PHENOMENAL HUMAN BEING THEN AND YOU ARE STILL THE SAME PERSON. I JUST THANK YOU.

I THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE.

YOU CONTINUE TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT YOU ARE REFERRED TO AS MR. DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.

I HOPE YOU HAVE PASSED THE TORCH ON WITH THE VALUES THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO YOUR WORK AND TO YOUR VISION.

AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO YOU JUSTICE FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S VERY KIND. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WANT TO SAY I HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU.

YOU ARE RETIRING, BUT YOUR LOVE FOR THIS REGION AND FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS AREA IN PARTICULAR IS NOT RETIRING.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO ENGAGE WITH AND I WILL SEE YOU AT THE MARATHON.

IT HAS BEEN SUCH A JOY TO ALSO ENJOY THE RAYS WITH BOB EURY.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMISSIONER HEARD THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHY HE IS NOT BIKING.

HE IS OUT THERE RUNNING. IT IS GOOD TO SEE AND YOU CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU

HAVE DONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CONGRATULATIO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BOBBY, IF YOU CAN WAIT AROUND WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A PICTURE. JUST HANG AROUND.

I WILL TRY NOT TO BE TOO WORDY WITH MY OTHERS.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER IN-PERSON SPEAKER FOR THIS RESOLUTION,

CURTIS FLOWERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> I WILL TAKE OFF MY MASK AS WELL.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, COURT, FOR LETTING ME COME AND SPEAK ON BOB'S BEHALF. I AM COMING AS THE CHAIR OF THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT BOARD WHICH BOB IS THE PRESIDENT OF. BOB HAS SPENT 38 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THIS AREA. I WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT WHEN I CAME OVER THIS MORNING. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY ADMINISTRATIONS HE HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT CONTINUOUSLY BROUGHT HIM BACK? THAT'S PROBABLY A RECORD IN ITSELF. WHEN YOU LOOK AS FAR TO THE WEST YOU WILL SEE BUFFALO BAYOU PARK.

IF YOU GO TO THE EAST YOU WILL SEE DISCOVERY GRADEY AND IF YOU GO NEXT DOOR YOU CAN SEE THE MARKET SQUARE DEVELOPMENT AND TO THE SOUTH IS SKY WAY. IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT BOB HAS BROUGHT TO US AND HOW MUCH WE WILL MISS HIM AS HE LEAVES AND GOES TO HIS NEXT ENDEAVOR.

SENATOR -- I STILL CALL HIM SENATOR ELLIS AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WE'RE CLOSE. WE HAVE COME DOWN AND WE HAVE DONE MARKET SQUARE. YOU ARE NEXT ON THE BLOCK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME

TO SPEAK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER ON THIS RESOLUTION.

LESLIE ASH OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN DISTRICT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

I'M LESLIE ASHBY AND I AM THE CHAIR OF THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH BOB ALL THESE YEARS ON THE DISTRICT.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY I MOVED TO HOUSTON IN SEPTEMBER OF 1991 FOR MY VERY FIRST JOB. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT WAS A DIFFERENT PLACE THEN. IT WAS QUIET AFTER HOURS AND NOT A LOT OF BARS AND RESTAURANTS AFTER WORK, NO SPORTS FACILITY, NO DISCOVERED GREEN.

30 YEARS GOES BY REALLY FAST. NOW DOWNTOWN IS A DIFFERENT PLACE. I'M STILL THERE AND IT IS VIBRANT AND BEAUTIFUL AND PUBLIC ART AND BEAUTIFUL PARKS , SPORTS FACILITIES FOR THREE TEAMS. BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS THAT RESIDENTS ARE LIVING IN.

ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WERE POSSIBLE -- WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY OF COURSE THE COUNTY AND THE CITY, BUT THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS THAT BOB LEADS. BOB IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU. YOU ARE A GREAT LEADER AND A VISIONARY. ONE OF YOUR BEST ASSETS IS YOU WORK SO WELL WITH PEOPLE. YOU ARE A COLLABORATOR.

ENERGETIC -- I WILL FINISH UP, WE MISS YOU, BOB! YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. JUDGE HE HAS A LOT OF FRIENDS I WILL DO THE NEXT ONE IF I MIGHT.

THIS ONE IS THE CROWN ACT RESOLUTION.

I WILL READ IT AND THEN EXPLAIN IT.

WHERE INDIVIDUALS OF COLOR FACE CLASSIFICATION AND DISCRIMINATION BASED ON HAIR TEXTURE AND STYLE THROUGHOUT U.S. HISTORY. LAWS TO REGULATE AND CONTROL NATURAL HAIR HAVE EXISTED SINCE SLAVERY.

[00:35:02]

THE LAW THAT PASSED IN 1786 FORCED BLACK WOMEN TO WEAR A SCARF TO IDENTIFY THEM AS PART OF THE SLAVE CLASS.

IN 2019 A STUDY FOUND THAT BLACK WOMEN ARE 1.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE SENT HOME FROM WORK OR ANOTHER BLACK WOMAN SENT HOME FROM WORK BECAUSE OF HER HAIR STYLE.

NATURAL HAIR DISCRIMINATION HAS INCREASED WHILE LEADING TO HIRING OR TREATMENT IN WORKPLACE AND EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS, WHERE WHEREAS THE CROWN APP -- ACT SEEKS TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION BASED ON HAIR TEXTURE AND STYLES.

THIS ACT WAS DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO A LONG HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION OF HAIR STYLES WORN BY PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DECENT RELATED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO AFROS AND BRAIDS AND TWISTS. CALIFORNIA LAUNCHED WHAT IS NOW A NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR THE CROWN ACT.

14 STATES AND 29 GOVERNMENTS PASSED LEGISLATION TO END NATURAL HAIR DISCRIMINATION. WE HAVE ASKED HARRIS COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOP TO DEVELOP PERSONNEL LANGUAGE SIMILAR TO THE CROWN ACT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AFTER THIS PASSES. I SAY ON A PERSONAL NOTE, OF COURSE I DON'T HAVE HAIR, BUT WHEN I DID, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURES I HAD A BEAUTIFUL AFRO.

BACK THEN, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THEY WOULD PUT IT UP AND LET IT COME OUT. EVEN BEFORE WHEN I WAS DOING YARDWORK WITH MY DAD, I WOULD WRAP A BLACK RAG AROUND MY FRO SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO WASH IT AS MUCH.

YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU LOSE YOUR HAIR HOW MUCH YOU CAN MISS IT. BUT AS THE FATHER OF THREE BLACK WOMEN WHO WERE LITTLE BLACK GIRLS AT ONE POINT, I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HOW CHALLENGING IT IS FOR THOSE LITTLE GIRLS TO HAVE TO TRY TO FIT IN AND GO THROUGH WHAT IS PART OF A RITUAL, A VERY ABUSIVE ONE MIGHT I ADD, SO THAT LITTLE BLACK GIRLS CAN LOOK LIKE THEY ARE WHITE.

I RESPECT ANYBODY HOWEVER THEY WANT TO DO THEIR HAIR.

I JOKE ABOUT IT, BUT IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.

I THINK I HAVE ONE SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM WHO IS IN PERSON I

THINK. >> LORAIN WINSLOW OF THE LINKS

INCORPORATED. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO. I DON'T KNOW IF I PRONOUNCED YOUR NAME CORRECTLY AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS LORAIN WINSLOW AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE LINKS INCORPORATED AND I WORK WITH HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE WHO IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE CROWN ACT. INDIA ARIE PROFOUNDLY STATED I AM NOT MY HAIR. IT DOES NOT DEFINE MY WORK ETHICS COMMITMENT AND CREATIVITY.

BUT MAYBE IT DOES DEFINE MY CREATIVITY, MY PASSION OR MY HOPE OR GOALS FOR TOMORROW. THE HOUSTON CHAPTER OF THE LINKS INCORPORATED AND THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE ARE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND AND ESPECIALLY AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO STYLE THEIR HAIR AS THEY CHOOSE WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST EDUCATIONALLY OR EMPLOY -- ORGANS EMPLOYMENT -- OR AGAINST EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

WE WANT TO SEE A WORLD WHERE WE ALL ARE VALUED --

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN

FINISH. >> IT IS A WORLD WHERE WE CAN EXPRESS OUR INDIVIDUAL YALTS AND WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES OR CONCERN. NO ONE SHOULD BEHELD BACK BY THEIR -- BE HELD BACK BY THEIR HAIR.

WE KNOW DIVERSITY HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORKPLACE AND DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE EM -- EMBRACED.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEFORE AND SUPPORT OF THE CROWN ACT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I MOVE ADOPTION OF BOTH THOSE ITEMS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND. >> DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE?

>> JUDGE THIS IS JAMES. I JUST WANT CLARIFICATION ON WHAT THE ACTUAL MOTION IS. IS IT TO MOVE THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED AND TO UPDATE THE HARRIS COUNTY HAIR POLICY TO PROHIBIT NATURAL HAIR DISCRIMINATION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HADN'T THOUGHT OF THAT ONE, BUT THANK YOU. I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE ON THAT RESOLUTION AND THAT MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTION.

WE SHOULD RUN WHATEVER IT IS BY THE HR DEPARTMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE VOTING TO CHANGE THE POLICY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE DIRECTING THEM TO CHANGE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WILL YOU REPEAT THE MOTION.

>> IT IS WHAT IS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA HERE.

[00:40:02]

IT IS TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND TO UPDATE HARRIS COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICIES TO SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT NATURAL HAIR DISCRIMINATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU SAY AND TO DIRECT THE HR DEPARTMENT TO UPDATE THE HAIR POLICY SO IF THEY NEED TO TWEAK ANYTHING? DOES THAT WORK?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE LEGAL IN ON IT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO

RE-DO IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I THINK THE RESOLUTION LANGUAGE IS SUFFICIENT.

I THINK IT DIRECTS THEM TO IT.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

WE CAN WORK WITH THE RESOLUTION.

>> SO WE DON'T OVERCOMPLICATE THINGS LET'S VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION AS IS WHICH HAS BEEN VETTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, YOU CAN DO THAT PRETTY QUICK SO WHATEVER THAT STUFF IS AND YOU CAN PUT IT IN THERE.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT.

THE OTHER RESOLUTION WAS THE ONE ON BOB EURY.

I MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE THE LAST IS THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY RESOLUTION.

I AM NOT GOING TO CALL THE NAMES, BUT I I WILL READ THE RELEVANT PARTS. I WILL NOT BUTCHER THOSE NAMES. THAT MAY BE DISRESPECT.

WHEREAS INDIGENOUS AND NATIVE PEOPLES HAVE ORIGINAL, DIVERSE SOCIETIES WITH THEIR OWN IDENTITY AND KNOWLEDGE AND LIFE WAY THAT'S FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COUNTY AND STATE OF TEXAS. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS INDIGENOUS YEARS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE IN RELATION WITH THIS LAND AND ITS INHABITAT -- INHABITANTS, ATTENDING TO NATURAL LAND SCALE AND ALL THE LIFE IT SUSTAINS. WHEREAS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND TEXAS INCLUDE A NUMBER OF TRIBES AND I WILL JUST SAY ALABAMA KUSHANA AND ARAPAHOE AND BILOXI AND UH PATCH -- APACHE AND CHEROKEE, SHY -- CHEYANNE AND CHICKASAW AND I WILL GET IN TROUBLE TRYING TO PRONOUNCE THE REST. WHERE IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURE THAT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BRING TO OUR GREAT REGION. WE ALSO NOTE THAT MANY INEQUITIES THEY FACE ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF LESS THAN 70% THE INCOME OF WHITE HOUSE HOLDS. NATIONALLY INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE MURDERED AT A RATE 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN ALL ETHNICITIES. UNDERSTANDING THESE DISPARITIES CAN HELP US INVEST IN MORE EQUITABLE AND JUST FUTURES FOR EVERYONE. WHERE HARRIS COUNTY ADVANCES THE CLOSING THE GAP TO REFLECT THE EXPERIENCES OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND ENSURE GREATER ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY AND HONOR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, CULTURES AND TRADITIONAL LIFE WAY THAT'S CONTRIBUTE TO EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES MONDAY, -- THE SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY IN

HARRIS COUNTY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE TWO QUICK COMMENTS. ONE OF WHICH I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ALICE FOR ADDING APACHE TO THAT GROUP.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GROUPS WE HONOR AND HAVE LOCALLY AND SECONDLY, JUDGE, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT NOT ONLY DO WE PASS A RESOLUTION, BUT WE PRACTICE IN OUR COUNTY.

PRECINCT 4 HAS HAD A NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY.

YOU HAVE BEEN TO THAT PARK SEVERAL TIMES.

THIS LAST YEAR WE HAD 276 VISITORS ON THAT DAY.

WHEN WE HAD THE VIRTUAL ONE LAST YEAR WE HAD 2,000 PEOPLE WHO WENT IN AND PARTICIPATED VIRTUALLY IN 2020.

NOT ONLY CAN YOU GO THERE, BUT THERE ARE OTHER DAYS OR ANY OTHER DAY THE PARK IS OPEN WE HAVE OUR NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN VILLAGE WHICH IS A REPLICATION OF THE INDIANS AND THAT'S WHERE WE GOT THE WORD ATASKASEDA FROM THAT GROUP.

I AM PROUD TO JOIN IN ON THE RESOLUTION AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR ADDING THE OTHER GROUP THAT WE HAVE HERE LOCALLY THAT IN THE STATE NATIONAL LIST THAT CAME DOWN, THEY HAD FORGOTTEN THE ONE LITTLE GROUP AND YOU ADDED IT AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR IT.

[00:45:02]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT MY STAFF AND I DEBATED LONG AND HARD AND DECIDED TO PICK LANGUAGE THAT WOULD LET THIS PASS UNANIMOUSLY, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OF ALL OF THE GROUPS IN AMERICA, NONE OF THEM HAVE SUFFERED AS MUCH AS THE NATIVE PEOPLE IN -- AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THAT ON WHAT USED TO BE COLUMBUS DAY.

IT WAS GENOCIDE THAT WAS COMMITTED AGAINST THAT GROUP.

I CAN REMEMBER SOME YEARS AGO GETTING IN A FIGHT WHEN I WAS IN THE LELGT -- LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE THE MASCOT FROM THE REDSKINS TO THE CURRENT MASCOT AT LA MAR HIGH SCHOOL.

IT TRIGGERED GETTING RID OF A FEW OTHER NAMES.

IT IS SUCH A TRAGEDY. MANY OF THE PEOPLE WE HONOR HAD AS HEROS IN TEXT HISTORY WERE -- IN TEXAS HISTORY WERE A KEY PART OF THAT GENOCIDE THAT WAS COMMITTED I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE RECOGNIZING, BUT WE GET THE HISTORY RIGHT DURING A TIME WHEN THERE IS SUCH AN EFFORT TO TRY AND CLEANSE THE HISTORY IN TEXAS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THIS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I HOPE WE THINK OF SOMEWHERE -- IN FACT, WE HAVE CHALLENGES EVEN GETTING THE TRIBAL LEADER THAT'S HELPED ME WHEN WE TRIED TO GET THE MASCOT CHANGE TO SHOW UP.

THEY HAVE A SMALL MUSEUM THAT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.

A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN MALIGNED AND SO MISTREATED IN TEXAS AND IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

WE IS -- WE HAVE A MOTION BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THE PARK. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PARK AND IT

IS A BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I HAVE ONE MORE. IF I CAN FINISH THIS ONE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS ANOTHER HISPANIC HERITAGE-MONTH RESOLUTION FOR A PHENOMENAL LEADER AND FRIEND AND PUBLIC SERVANT.

THIS IS FOR THE HONORABLE ORNALDO YBARRA.

WE CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND WE HAVE LEADERS WHO SERVED IN MULTIPLE ROLES AND THE HONORABLE ORNAD -- ORNALDOY DARKS -- YBARRA. HE HAS CALLED TEXAS HOME GRADUATING FROM PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL AND GOING ON TO BECOME A COMMUNITY LEADER. HE RECALLS HIS PARENTS WHOE RAISED HIM FROM A -- WHO RAISED HIM FROM A HUMBLE, HARD-WORKING FAMILY THAT VALUES EQUALITY -- A QUALITY EDUCATION, MILITARY SERVICE, PUBLIC SERVICE, FAIRNESS AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. WHEREAS ORNALDO ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORP AT THE AGE OF 17.

HE ATTAINED THE RIGHT OF SERGEANT RECEIVING THE MARINE CORP ACHIEVEMENT METAL -- MEDAL.

AFTER THE MARINES HE ATTENDED SAN JACINTO COLLEGE AND OBTAINED HIS ASSOCIATES OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE AND WENT ON TO JOIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE HE WORKED ON THE S.W.A.T TEAM AND HONOR GUARD DETAIL.

THEN HE GRADUATED FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS BILL BLACK WOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT INNINGS -- INSTITUTE AND IN 2020 WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN AND ASSIGNED AS PATROL DIVISION CAPTAIN. HE WAS ELECTED THE COUNCILMEMBER FOR THE CITY OF PASADENA AND SERVED FROM 2009 TO 2017. DURING HIS TENURE $60 MILLION OF INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED.

AND HE WAS APPOINTED TWICE AS MAYOR PRO TEM FROM 2016 TO 2018. WHILE HE SERVED ON CITY COUNCIL AND OBTAINED HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE IN 2010 FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND A MASTERS FROM SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY IN 2016 AND HE CONTINUES TO SERVE AT THE CITY OF PASADENA AND IS A PHENOMENAL COUNCILMEMBER. CONGRATULATIONS.

WE HERE AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZE YOUR SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF PASADENA. ARE YOU ONLINE, ORNALDO?

>> YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS, MY FRIEND.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

[00:50:02]

I AM BLESSED TO HAVE THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FEEL I AM WORTHY OF THIS RECOGNITION.

AS YOU SAID, MY PARENTS INSTILLED THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE. ALL THE MY LIFE I WAS A PUBLIC SERVANT. WHETHER IT WAS MY FOUR YEARS IN THE MILITARY OR 11 YEARS ON CITY COUNCIL OR 16 YEARS IN LAWEN -- LAW ENFORCEMENT. SERVICE WAS IMPORTANT TO ME.

I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK YOU.

I NEVER TOLD YOU THIS, BUT IN 2009 YOU WERE ON CITY COUNCIL IN 2004 AND I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND I WAS INSPIRED WHEN YOU RAN IN 2004.

IT REALLY WAS A MOTIVATION FOR ME DO RUN IN 200 -- TO RUN IN 2009. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR PRECINCT 2 AND I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL. I INTO YOU A LOT ABOUT YOU, BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR SERVICE IN THE MARINE CORP.

SEPER FI, MAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.

ARE YOU A LEADER AND A ROLE MODEL TO MANY AS JONATHON WILL SURELY SAY. WE ARE PROUD OF AND YOU CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK, MY FRIEND.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE TO ADOPT THE -- WELL, WE VOTE OWED SISSY.

WE VOTE OWED SISSY, RIGHT? >> I THINK SO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE TO ADOPT LUZ AND MR. ORNALDO'S

RESOLUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I ALSO WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE COUNCILMEMBER AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR MARKS AND

FACETS OF YOUR CAREER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS JUST

WAIVING CONGRATULATIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I APOLOGIZE. WE HAVE MS. LOPEZ ON THE LINE. SHE WAS ABLE TO JOIN US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WONDERFUL. GO AHEAD.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE ARE STILL GETTING HER CONNECTED.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE MARTA DELIKI FOR THE SISSY

FARENTHOLD RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> HELLO? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES,

MS. LOPEZ. >> HELLO.

THIS IS MARTA GALICKI FOR THE SISSY FARENTHOLD RESOLUTION.

I'M SORRY I'M LATE. I WAS AT A DOCTOR'S

APPOINTMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO WORRIES.

>> THANK YOU. JUDGE UH HALL GO AND -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST MET SISSY FARENTHOLD AFTER MOVING HERE.

SHE EXTENDED HER HAND AND LOOKED ME IN THE EYE AND SAID I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT.

WELCOME TO TEXAS. LIKE MANY BEFORE ME I WAS SOON PERSUADED BY HER TO JOIN HER AS AN ACTIVIST.

HER INTERESTS WERE BROAD FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL AND SHE SAW THE WORLD INTERSECTED -- INTERCONNECTED INCLUDING THE HISTORIC FAB BROIK -- FABRIC. SHE WANTED KNEE SERVE WITH HER AND OTHERS ON AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS OF ALLEN PARKWAY VILLAGE.

THEY WERE TRYING TO SUPPORT IT FROM DEMOLITION AND HOPE TO SAVE THE NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT FROM DESTRUCTION WHEN OTHER PRESERVATIONISTS HAD TURNED THEIR BACKS.

AS AN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS I ADMIRED THE BUILDINGS AND

COULDN'T SAY NO TO SISSY. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THAT'S IT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD AND

FINISH. >> SHE WAS A TEACHER AND A MENTOR AND A ROLE MODEL TO MY GENERATION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND. SHE WAS MORE THAN A PARTISAN ACTIVIST. SHE WAS COMMIT ETD -- COMMITTED TO THE WORLD OF IDEAS AND WORE -- WORTHY CAUSES AND ELOQUENT WHEN SHE PRESENTED HER ARGUMENT.

SHE SAW HOUSTON AS PART OF THE GLOBAL STAGE AND AHEAD OF HER TIME IN UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY AND STRENGTHENING ITS POSITION AS IFNT -- AN INTERNATIONAL CITY.

SHE SCARED -- SHE CARED DEEPLY ABOUT THE REFUGEES INCLUDING AFGHANS THAT OUR COMMUNITY WILL HOPEFULLY WELCOME TO OUR CITY AND COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA MADE A MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION FOR ORNALDO YBARRA AND LUZ LOW PEACES -- LOPEZ.

THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

DO WE HAVE MS. LOPEZ ON THE LINE YET?

>> NO. WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE REACHING

HER AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE WILL CONTINUE.

IF YOU GET HER, LET US KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, CAN YOU SEND A REMINDER TO THE SPEAKER THAT'S THEY HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK. I GET THE SENSE THAT THEY ARE

NOT AWARE. >> OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

[00:55:02]

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU VIRTUALLY. I AM REAL PLEASED TO HONOR OUR ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BASED IN PRECINCT 3.

AND LET ME GET RIGHT TO THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS SINCE JUNE 2019 -- JUNE 20, 1990, THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COUNTY BY BUILDING ADVOCACY AND NETWORKING AND COLLABORATIONS TO PROMOTE TRADE BETWEEN HOUSTON AND THE ASIAN COMMUNITY. THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRINGS A DIVERSE GROUP OF BUSINESSES AND PER DASH DARR PERSPECTIVES AND IDEAS AND WHEREAS THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HEADQUARTERED IN PRECINCT 3 HAS SPENT 30 YEARS WORKING TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY ASIAN BUSINESS AND CULTURAL COMMUNITIES WITH 40 EVENTS AND 2,000 ATTENDEES ANNUALLY, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTINUES TO FULFILL THEIR MISSION, AND WHEREAS THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS THE ASIAN BUSINESS INSTITUTE.

IT FORCES US TO DEVELOP AND TEACH BUSINESS AND COURSES INCLUDE AN EXECUTIVE BUSINESS PROGRAM IN THE SUPPLIER DIVERSE ACADEMY. THEY HELP CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS AND EXPAND THE EXISTING BUSINESSES BOTH IN TERMS OF SIZE AND DIVERSITY.

WHEREAS THEY HOST THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEUR SHIP CELEBRATING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. THIS EVENT UNITES THE ASIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBERS.

WHEREAS CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THROUGH THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY, AND WE KNOW THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE COUNTY.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ALL THAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

I THINK WE HAVE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.

>> WE HAVE ONE IN-PERSON SPEAK -- SPEAKER, KENNETH

LEE. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE IS HERE. WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE.

>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS PAUL GORE OF THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. GO AHEAD, SIR.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR ELEVATING THE ASIAN CHAMBER. OUR VISION IS TO BE THE PREMIERE RESOURCE AND BEING THE UNIFIED VOICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE. I WANT TO QUICKLY GIVE YOU STATISTICS ACCORDING TO ORANGE COUNTY, HOUSTON WITH THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE RICE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE.

ASIAN IS THE FASTEST GROWING POPULATION IN THE COUNTY WITH 89% GROWTH SINCE 2000. ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS THERE IS ABOUT 8.6 IN YOUR POPULATION THAT REPRESENTS ASIANS. AND THAT EQUATES TO ABOUT 400,000 RESIDENTS AND GROWING EXPONENTIALLY.

WE APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION YOU PROVIDED TODAY.

AND BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS IN THAT PER SPEC -- PERSPECTIVE. WE WILL HAVE 700 BUSINESS LEADERS AND POLICY MAKERS AND INFLUENCERS AT OUR EVENT.

WE ARE GLAD THEY ARE ABLE TO STAND BEHIND THE ASIAN COMMUNITY WITH ONE VOICE TO MAKE HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. WE ARE A VOICE OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AND I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS RESOLUTION?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THE ASIAN CLAIM -- CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING.

WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS. ONE REPRESENTING TWO CULTURE GROUPS THAT WE HAVE HAD HERE TODAY.

THIS IS QUITE THE DAY OF CULTURE AS WE HAVE HAD OUR NATIVE AMERICAN RESOLUTION AND WE HAVE HAD OUR RESOLUTION FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE AND WE ALSO NOW ARE GOING TO -- I WOULD BE PROPOSING A RESOLUTION TO HONOR OUR GERMAN IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO OUR REGION. WITH THIS WE HAVE FOUR GENERATIONS. ALTHOUGH AS THEY WERE TRYING TO DO THE MATH THEY FOUND OUGHT IT IS ACTUALLY JUST TWO GENERATIONS GOING BACK AND FORTHWITH -- BACK AND FORTH TO REPRESENT OUR GERMAN COMMUNITY.

IF Y'ALL CAN COME DOWN TO THE MICROPHONE.

[01:00:02]

WHERE -- WHEREAS ADAM AND FEDERICA KLEIN MADE THEIR JOURNEY IN THE 50S SEEKING RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL FREEDOM. IT WAS HERE THEY BECAME CITIZENS AND PURCHASED LAND AND BOUGHT A FARM WITH A LOG HOME AND ESTABLISHED FAMILY ROOTS.

THEY GREW LIKE A LIVE OAK WITH BRANCHES SPREADING ACROSS THE STRONG GERMAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN NORTH HARRIS COUNTY. WHEREAS FROM ADAM AND FEDERECA WAS EIGHT CHILDREN AND FIVE -- 55 GRAND CHILDREN AND MORE DESCENDANTS. THEY SHARE THE SAME KLEIN FAMILY QUALITIES AND TOUGH WORK ETHIC AND DEVOTION TO THEIR CREATOR. GENERATIONS HAVE WORKED THE LAND AND BUILT UP THEIR COMMUNITY WITH SWEAT AND ENTREPRENEUR SHIP AS THEY ESTABLISH FARMS SUCH AS A GENERAL STORE AND GROCERY AND FINE FOODS AND A MORTUARY.

THE AREA WAS KNOWN AS KLEIN, TEXAS.

THEY ESTABLISHED THE KLEIN POST OFFICE.

THAT POST OFFICE WAS CLOSED DECADES LATER, BUT MANY HOME ADDRESSES BEAR THE NAME OF KLEIN, TEXAS.

A LASTING REMINDER OF THE KLEINS.

A FAMILY THAT WOULD SEE A NEED IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND STEPPED UP TO ENSURE IT WAS MET. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT CELEBRATION OF GERMAN HERITAGE MONTH HONORS THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY BY THE KLEIN FAMILY. JUDGE, WE HAVE -- MY ANCESTRY IS GERMAN AND IRISH AND A FEW OTHER THINGS.

I AM A HEINZ 57. GO AHEAD AND STAND OVER HERE.

THIS IS THE INTERLOPING IRISHMAN THAT MARRIED INTO THE FAMILY. THIS IS MR. QUINN.

THEREFORE WE HAVE OUR SPEAKERS AND I WOULD MOVE THE MOTION

WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE

RECORD. >> MY NAME IS LORI KLEIN QUINN. ON BEHALF OF THE KLEIN FAMILY, THIS IS MY HUSBAND, DAVID QUINN.

HE IS MY IRISHMAN. ON BEHALF OF THE KLEIN FAMILY AND THE 300 GERMAN FAMILIES THAT RESIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE OUR GERMAN HERITAGE. IN 1860 ADAM AND FERICA KLEIN BECAME U.S. CITIZENS AND MOVED FROM MISSOURI AND BOUGHT LAND ON EITHER SIDE OF CYPRESS CREEK AND STARTED HAVING CHILDREN WHO HAD CHILDREN WHO HAD CHILDREN.

I THINK THE BIRTHRATE WENT DOWN WHEN TELEVISION WAS DISCOVERED. THERE ARE 9 AND 16 CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE WORK ETHIC AND BUSINESSES THAT WERE GOING ON. IN 1933 MY GRANDFATHER, ALL OF OUR GRAND FATHERS AND ROSA HOWDIE KLEIN MOVED TO, TOMBALL -- THEY ESTABLISHED A LOT OF BUSINESSES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO 5TH AND 6TH GENERATION OF THE KLEIN COMMUNITY.

>> MY NAME IS ALEX KLEIN, THE THIRD.

MARTIN LUTHER WROTE, PRAY LIKE IT ALL DEPENDS ON GOD AND THEN WORK LIKE IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU.

THAT IS THE ETHIC OUR FAMILY BROUGHT FROM GERMANY AND IT IS THE SAME ETHIC THAT IS SHARED BY ALL OF OUR NEW IMMIGRANTS.

IMMIGRANTS THAT COME MOSTLY FROM MEXICO AND CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. PEOPLE WHO SHARE OUR VALUES OF FAITH AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD TO BE FROM HOUSTON, THE MOST DIVERSE CITY IN AMERICA.

IN THIS CITY AND IN THIS COUNTY, IT SETS A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE STATE IN TERMS OF RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMIGRANTS AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE TO EACH OF OUR DAILY LIVES AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY WILL BE IN THE CENTURIES TO COME.

ON BEHALF OF OUR FAMILY WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM HUNTER KLEIN. I AM ANOTHER GENERATION OF KLEIN. MY GRANDFATHER WAS THE ELDEST OF THE 9 CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS WERE THE CHILDREN OF ADAM AND FEDRICA. MY FATHER WAS ONE WHO STARTED AND RAN THE FUNERAL HOME, THE MORTUARY IN NORTH HOUSTON THAT IS TODAY RUN BY MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER THAT WILL NEXT YEAR BE CELEBRATING ITS 100TH YEAR IN OPERATION.

IT IS A TEST MEANT TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE RECOGNIZED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THE FAMILY THAT'S WORKED SO HARD TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR AREA AND OUR TOWN AND OUR CITY.

[01:05:04]

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE STANDING HERE AND TO BE INCLUDED AMONG THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND IT IS AN HONOR TO BE NAMED WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING FOLKS RECOGNIZED IN THE RESOLUTION AND WERE

RECOGNIZED HERE TODAY. >> MY NAME IS WILLIAM KLEIN AND I AM A 6TH GENERATION TEXAN.

I AM HERE REPRESENTING THE ROBERT KLEIN BRANCH.

MY GREAT-GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER ADAM KLEIN HELPED START TRINITY CHURCH IN KLEIN, TEXAS WHERE WE STILL GO.

I LIVE IN TOMBALL, TEXAS WHERE MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER MOVED WHERE HE RAN A GENERAL STORE THAT CONTINUES TODAY IN THE FORM OF MY FATHER'S BUSINESS, KLEIN'S FINE FOODS WHICH YOU GOT SOME SALSA AND JELLY FROM.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND I AM A SOPHOMORE AT TOMBAL HIGH SCHOOL WHICH I WILL BE A THIRD GENERATION GRADUATE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I AM PROUD OF MY GERMAN HERITAGE AND IT IS AN HONOR TO

BE HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FIRST OF ALL , THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR SO MANY YEARS, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS.

THIS IS SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE WHEN MY FAMILY CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 59 THEY SETTLED IN WHAT FEW PEOPLE REMEMBER AS GERMANTOWN WHICH IS NOW NEAR NORTH SIDE HOUSTON RIGHT BY THE HARDY RAILROAD TRACKS.

THEY STAYED IN A HOUSE NEXT DOOR TO A GERMAN FAMILY.

OUR FAMILY COULDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH, AND THE GERMAN FAMILY COULDN'T SPEAK SPANISH. BUT THEY KNEW WELL ENOUGH BECAUSE OF THE SHARED VALUES THAT MY MOM HAD FIVE HUNGRY KIDS AND SHARED SOME DELICIOUS FOODS.

MY MOM TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT AND SHE IS 97 TODAY.

SHE MAY NOT ALWAYS REMEMBER WHICH OF THE SIX I AM, BUT SHE REMEMBERS THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND WE LOVE YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND THAT HOUSE STILL EXISTS TODAY. IT STILL DOES.

BEAK A CPA I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE GIFTS ARE BELOW THE IRS LIMB IT -- LIMIT AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO DECLARE THEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, EVEN IF WHEN YOUR PARENTS GOT HERE AND DIDN'T SPYING ENGLISH -- DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH, I BET THEY CAN APPRECIATE LYLE LOVE VET AND IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW T HE IS ONE OF THE BETTER KNOWN GREAT-GREAT GRANDSONS OF ADAM KLEIN. JUST THOUGHT I WOULD POINT

THAT OUT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU STEALING SOME OF OUR THUNDER FOR NEXT COMMISSIONERS'

COURT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE AND HEAR SO MANY STORIES AND THE MESSAGE OF TOLERANCE AND I THINK THAT THERE IS SO MUCH VALUE IN IT -- IN THE DIVERSITY AND APPRECIATING EACH OTHER'S STORIES. NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS TOLERANCE, BUT THE DIVERSITY OF IDEAS AND THE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS THAT BRINGS. THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US OF

THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE THIS IS TOM. LET ME ALSO THANK MR. CAGLE FOR BRINGING THIS. PRECINCT 3 IS HOST TO MANY, MANY GERMAN FAMILIES. IN FACT, WE CELEBRATE THAT AT YES, SIR -- G -- JERGINS HALL IS -- WHICH IS A GATHERING PLACE FOR GERMAN COMMUNITIES. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM LYLE LOVETT IF THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE'RE WORKING ON IT.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT NEXT RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MAGES CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY -- MOTION CARRIES MAN NUSSLY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> APPRECIATE YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY NEXT RESOLUTION IS IN HONOR OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

AND DR. MARLEN TRUJILLO IS PART OF THE SPRING CLINIC

[01:10:08]

BRANCH CENTER THAT PROVIDES QUALITY HEALTH CARE TO THE UNINSURED CROSS SPRING BRANCH AND THE EXPANDING NEIGHBORHOODS OF WEST HOUSTON.

WHEREAS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP AND THE VISION OF DR. TRUJILLO , THE HEALTH CENTER IS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN COMBATING HEALTH DISPARITIES IN A RAPIDLY DIVERSIFYING COMMUNITY AND WITH SEVEN LOCATIONS CARING FOR MORE THAN 20,000 PATIENTS THROUGH THE PRIMARY CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND DENTAL CARE AND OTHER MEDICAL NEEDED SERVICES.

WHERE DR. TRUJILLO'S PASSION PREVENTS THOSE AROUND HER FROM SIMPLY CHECKING THE BOX AND COMPELS THEM TO SEEK OUT ROOT CAUSES TO THINK STRATEGICALLY AND TO HELP GUIDE PATIENTS TO THE MAZE THAT IS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THERE IS A MISSION OF HART, H-A-R-T.

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND TEAMWORK, LISTEN AND BE EGOLESS AND SHARE INFORMATION AND SHOW RESPECT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HARD. THEREFORE BE H RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HONORS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY BY DR. MARLENJ TRUJILLO. I MOVE THE MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS DR. TRUJILLO ON THE LINE?

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I APPRECIATION THE RECOGNITION AND I'M SO SORRY I CAN'T BE THERE.

THERE WAS A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.

I HAVE BEEN LEADING OUR NONPROFIT FOR 14 YEARS.

I GREW UP IN THE SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY WHICH ALSO BEGAN WITH GERMAN FARMERS AND WE HAD A GREAT GERMAN NEIGHBOR.

AND I GREW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD OF MEXICAN AND COLUMBIAN PARENTS. DIVERSITY IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS. AND SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY CENTER IS ABOUT SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

DURING THE PANDEMIC WE VACCINATED THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC.

EACH IS DEDICATED TO SHIV -- SERVING OTHERS.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT NOT ONLY ME, BUT OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. I APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WE CONTINUE TO SERVE THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED. CONGRATULATIONSES AND THANK

YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DR. TRUJILLO. I ACTUALLY GOT MY VACCINE IN EARLY MAY OR LATE APP I THINK IT WAS -- LATE APRIL I THINK AT DR. TRUJILLO'S INITIATIVE. AND YOU DO INCREDIBLE WORK TRYING TO GET YOUR COMMUNITY VACCINATED AND SAD -- AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR HEALTH. I APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION AND YOUR YOUR WORK AND THAT OF YOUR TEAM. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT FOR

RESOLUTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE

MS. LOPEZ ON THE LINE NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON THIS ONE. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY CAGLE AND SECOND BY GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND NOW WE WILL HEAR FROM MS. LUZ LOPEZ.

>> YES. GOOD MORNING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD MORNING.

>> THANK YOU. AND GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR TODAY AND THE RECOGNITION AND THE RECOGNITION OF THE HISPANIC HERITAGE.

I AM VERY HONORED TO BE ON THE PHONE WITH Y'ALL AND ALSO IN A WAY OF THANKING FROM MY FAMILY AND FROM MYSELF, THANK ALL OF Y'ALL FORGIVING US OPPORTUNITIES AROUND OUR AREA AND FOR HELPING THE FAMILY. I WAS BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES AT THE AGE OF SEVEN. ALL THROUGH THE YEARS OF SCHOOL I HAVE KNOWN THE NEED OF WHAT MY FAMILY WAS GOING THROUGH AND WHAT OTHER FAMILIES WERE GOING THROUGH.

ONCE I GRADUATED I PUT MYSELF INTO SEEING WHAT AM I GOING TO BE HELPING OTHERS WITH AND I WENT AHEAD --

>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND WAS IN DIFFERENT AREAS, BUT MAINLY IT WAS TO HELP OTHERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> TO UNDERSTAND AND THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE COME --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, BUT YOUR TIME IS UP.

TIFFANY, I NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE SPEAKER TIME ENFORCEMENT,

PLEASE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE IS ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS SO, JUDGE IF WE CAN JUST LET HER FINISH HER

[01:15:02]

REMARK. MS. LOPEZ, DID YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO SHARE WITH US?

>> YES. AND I THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL OF THE HELP THAT HAVE COME TO HARRIS COUNTY AND WE HAVE BEEN SERVING AND HELPING AND TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON EACH ONE OF THE FAMILIES AND THE ONE THAT'S WE TOUCH TO MAKE THEM HAVE A DREAM TO COME TRUE AND TO HELP OUR CHILDREN IN THE STREETS AND DRUGS AND ALL OF THIS.

IT'S REALLY CHANGING OUR STREETS AND IT IS CHANGING BEING TOGETHER, UNITED AS A VILLAGE, I DO THANK ALL OF Y'ALL FOR THE HELP AND THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ALL OF THE AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IN THE NAME OF ALL OF THESE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, I GIVE THIS RESOLUTION THAT I HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MS. LOPEZ, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> JUDGE WHICH ITEM IS THIS ON?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE RESOLUTION FOR MS. LOPEZ.

>> THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY VOTED ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. GOOD.

SO THAT IS TWICE OVER. >> WHO WAS THE MOTION ON THAT

ONE? >> LINA HIDALGO: GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. THAT SHOULD BE ALL FOR THE RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER. WE WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES NOW.

[01:22:02]

WE HAVE A QUORUM NOW. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE MEETING AND LISTEN TO THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

IT IS 11: 28 AND WILL YOU CALL THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS ?

[Speakers (1 of 1)]

>> YES IS SPEAKER 19 KEITH SUAREZ SPEAKING ON COVID-19 ITEM 12. SIR, HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

>> ON -- OKAY. I AM A PHYSICIAN, A DOCTOR.

I HAVE A GREAT OBJECTION ON REGARDS TO THE COVID-19 VACCINATION. THE MONEY WE ARE USING -- AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE CURRENT VACCINES DO NOT REDUCE TRANSMISSION. I CAN QUOTE SOME STUDIES -- A RECENT STUDY FROM THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR THAT LOOKED AT 68 COUNTRIES AND 2,947 COUNTIES IN OUR COUNTRY USING THE WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 DATABASE DEMONSTRATED THE VACCINATIONS ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A REDUCTION.

THEY ARE FROM THE MINISTRY OF THE HEALTH OF ISRAEL HAVE SHOWED THE DELTA VARIANT INCREASED IN THE MONTH OF JULY. MORE DATA HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. ISRAEL HAS SHOWN DATA THAT OVER TIME THE LARGEST PORTION OF --

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 20, DIANA WILLIAMS OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP, TEXAS SPEAKING ON ITEM 18 UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, MA'AM.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM DIANA WILLIAMS. I TIE MY COMMENTS IN WITH NUMBER 18 BECAUSE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT I -- THINGS HAPPENING IN THE COURTROOM AT THE DISTRICT COURT. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE ARE RUNNING TO HELP DEFENDANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THE HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM. AND IN MY ATTENDANCE THE DEFENDANT AND THE ATTORNEY ARE BEING ALLOWED INTO THE COURTROOM AND WE ARE PART OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOWEVER, WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR IS IF THE JUDGES CAN MODIFY THAT PROCESS AND ALLOW AT LEAST ONE FAMILY MEMBER INSIDE THE COURTROOM ALONG WITH AN APPLICANT IN ORDER TO SHOW SUPPORT. SOME OF THE COURTROOMS DO HAVE

THEIR LIVE STREAM ON -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22, MARISSA HANSON AND SHE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 150 UNDER ELECTIONS

ADMINISTRATOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: MS. HANSON?

[01:25:10]

SHE IS NOT HERE. IF SHE COMES BACK WE WILL CALL HER UP. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 24, JERRY MONROE. HE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 150 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION --

ADMINISTRATOR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M NOT POSITIVE. BUT I THOUGHT I SAW HIM IN THE HALLWAY WHEN I CAME IN THIS MORNING.

>> WE WILL COME BACK AROUND TO HIM.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 25. SHE IS WITH HIOSC AND SPEAKING ON 156 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI, MY NAME IS -- [INAUDIBLE] HOUSTON I WILL GRACIOUS COLLABORATIVE.

I AM THE LEGAL DIRECTOR. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US SPEAK ON THE POLICY. I AM IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTING ONE UNIFORM POLICY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

I APOLOGIZE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TIME.

I BELIEVE THIS IS A CLIENT-FOCUSED TRAUMA-INFORMED POLICY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED COUNTY WIDE.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT FIRST STEP IN ADOPTING THE POLICY TO SEE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ADOPTING IT.

THIS IS A TRAUMA-INFORMED CLIENT-FOCUSED POLICY THAT PUTS FORWARD A PRESUMPTION OF HELPFULNESS WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE SURVIVORS WILL TELL US WHEN THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE AND HARM.

AND IT DISRUPTS THE NARRATIVE -- [INAUDIBLE].

IMMIGRATION SURVIVAL ALREADY ARE AT RISK --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING AND SPEAKING IN ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THIS WAS SPEAKER NUMBER 25.

>> YES, MA'AM. NEXT IS SPEAKER 27, HOLLY KUCHARA OF YMCA SERVICES SPEAKING ON 156 ON JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

>> HI, THIS IS HOLLY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MA'AM. >> HELLO? OKAY. I KNOW I ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE SO I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM A SUPERVISING ATTORNEY AT THE YMCA AND I WORK WITH VICTIMS OF CRIME, AND I AM, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PROPOSED POLICY. THE SPECIFIC ISSUE I WANTED TO SPEAK TO IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

A RESTRICTION THAT IS IN EFFECT IN SOME AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE A CLIENT WHO SUFFERED AGGRAVATED ROBBERY IN 2016 DUE TO HER LACK OF RESOURCES AND HER LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE NEW VISA DIDN'T MAKE IT TO OUR OFFICE FOR OUR SERVICES UNTIL 2019.

IN LIGHT OF THAT AND THE PANDEMIC WE COULDN'T GET OUR REQUEST OUT TO THE AGENCY FOR THE NEW VISA UNTIL THE STATUTE OUT OF LIMITATIONS HAD EXPIRED SIX WEEKS AFTER HE APPLIED.

AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL.

SO SHE IS A LOW INCOME VICTIM OF CRIME WHO DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND CAME TO FIND OUT WHAT THE IMMIGRATION OPTIONS WERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 26, ANNA DUCHARD AND SHE IS SPEAKING ON 156 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS ANNA AND I AM A LEGAL ADVOCATE [INAUDIBLE] AND AS AN ADVOCATE [INAUDIBLE] AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED AND I AM CALLING TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT TO THE CERTIFICATION POLICY. THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION OUTLINED THE CHALLENGE THAT'S SURVIVORS FACE WHEN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES [INAUDIBLE] SUCH AS CRIMINAL HISTORY. MANY OF THE SURVIVORS I TALK TO HAVE CRIMINAL HISTORIES. SOMETIMES IT IS CAUSED BY THE VIOLENCE OF EXPERIENCE AND LEFT WITH NO OTHER OPTIONS.

ONE SURVIVOR HAD A CONNECTION FOR USING A FAKE ID TO PROVIDE FOR HERSELF AFTER ESCAPING A VIOLENT HOME.

[INAUDIBLE] AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER SURVIVOR.

WE DO EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND WE NEED TO TO SEE AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT AN PLOP CAN'T IS NOT LIKE -- AN APPLICANT IS NOT LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIMES IN THE FUTURE

-- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU CALLING AND SPEAKING IN AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER -- I'M SORRY.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 28, JOE CAMPBELL OF BAKER RIP -- RIPLEY SPEAKING ON 156 OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

[01:30:02]

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM JILL CAMPBELL AND I AM WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AT BAKER RIPLEY. I SPENT MY ENTIRE LEGAL CAREER SERVING HOUSTON IMMIGRANTS WHO OTHERWISE COULD NOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY. BAKER P -- RIPLEY SUPPORTS THE POLICY AS THE TOPIC OF THE AGENDA ITEM.

IT IS THE FIRST STEP IN OBTAINING NEW VISA STATUS.

WITHOUT A CERTIFICATION, AN IMMIGRANT SURVIVOR CANNOT APPLY. CERTIFICATIONS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR SURVIVORS TO GET LEGAL STATUS IN THE U.S. AND REMAIN WITH THEIR FAMILY AND CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE CRIMINAL CASE.

ABROAD, TRAUMA CENTERS, COMMUNITY INFORMED AND VISA SYSTEM IS KEY TO ENSURING THAT CERTIFICATION IS HUMANE, EQUITABLE AND AGO -- ACCESSIBLE TO SURVIVORS.

THIS IS COLLABORATIVE AND UNFORMED -- INFORMED BY DATA AND 100% FOCUSED ON SURVIVORS.

I HOPE IT IS ADOPTED AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AID THANK YOU. LEAN --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS GUADELOUPE FERNANDEZ.

SHE IS SPEAKING ON 196 AND JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A YEAR'S LONG EFFORT FOR EXAMINING AND PROPOSING RECOMMENDATION THAT'S ADDRESS THE MANY BARRIERS PRPK -- [INAUDIBLE]. THE CERTIFICATION SHOULD BE SIGNED AS SOON AS REQUESTED FROM ALL VICTIMS REGARDLESS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY. VICTIMS OF CRIME FIND THEMSELVES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND THOUGH THE COUNTY WILL CERTIFY ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS IT TAKES MONTHS TO GET APPROVED.

DELAYING THE PROCESS OR TREATING SOMEONE DIFFERENTLY BASED ON THEIR PAST MAKES IT A LONG PROCESS IN THE PROTECTION THEY ARE ENTITLED TO UNDER THE LAW.

I ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO EXAM THE EFFORTS OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM IN THE COUNTY ESPECIALLY THE WAY IMMIGRANTS AND NONCITIZENS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AS THE CENTER REPORTS

HAS HIGHLIGHTED. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> ON THE DEPORTATION --

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER THREE, JESSICA HELTON SPEAKING ON JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I AM THE MANAGING ATTORNEY AND I AM CALLING ON THE POLICY. WE HAVE SEEN THE CERTIFICATION POLICY CAN IMPACT SURVIVORS AND SEEING ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT IS PASSED WHETHER OR NOT A SURVIVOR CAN ACCESS JUSTICE AND ACTUALLY BE ON THE LINE MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH WHEN I HAVE TO TELL A SURVIVOR THAT YOU WOULD WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW VISA, BUT I I KNOW THE JURISDICTION YOU WERE VICTIMIZED IN AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY HAS POLICIES THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO YOU GET A CERTIFICATION.

IF YOU WERE RAPED IN A DIFFERENT JURISDICTION YOU WOULD BE ELIGIBLE. ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUE THAT'S HAS COME UP PREVIOUSLY IS THE STATUTE OUT OF LIMITATIONS THAT ARE PUT ON BY DIFFERENT --

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE AN EXISTING POLICY.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE -- I'M TRYING TO UNPACK THE COMMENT YOU JUST MADE THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWING NEW VISAS IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU CAN GET ELSEWHERE? IS THAT YOUR CONTENTION?

>> DIFFERENT AGENCIES HAVING DIFFERENT CERTIFICATION POLICIES. ONE AGENT -- AGENCY SAYS I WILL TO THE CERTIFY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE CRIME HAPPENED. BUT SOMEWHERE ELSE WOULD ALLOW THAT. THE BIGGEST FACTOR IS WHETHER OR NOT SOMEBODY CAN APPLY FOR A NEW VISA BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE A CERTIFICATION TO APPLY ENDS UP BEING THE LOCATION WHERE THEY WERE VICTIMIZED.

IS EQUITY AND JUSTICE AND THE ISSUES ASIDE, IT IS HARD TO BUILD -- TO DO WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO DO AND TRUST THE POLICIES THAT ARE ARBITRARY. IT IS NOT JUST THAT THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW VISA, BUT THE POLICIES DICTATE WHETHER OR NOT SOMEBODY CAN ACCESS JUSTICE AND PROTECTION. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR

[01:35:02]

QUESTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO, BUT

THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WAS YOUR

QUESTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION WAS, WE HAVE A NEW VISA PROGRAM AND WE HAVE A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS PARTICULAR ONE THAT IS BEING PROPOSED BY JAD IS SUPERIOR IN SOME REGARDS. Y WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THOSE DELTAS WERE WITH REGARD TO WHAT WE ARE MOVING FROM AND WHAT WE ARE MOVING TO IN OUR RESEARCH.

I THINK WHEN I WAS HEARING WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD HER SAY WAS THERE WERE PEOPLE BEING DENIED UNDER OUR CURRENT PROGRAM. AND ON THE CLARIFICATION I DID NOT HEAR THAT WAS THE CASE. IT FELT THAT COULD MAYBE

HAPPEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I MAY, THE CHALLENGE IS THAT EVERY AGENCY CAN CARRY OUT THIS PROCESS IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAY AS AN EXAMPLE WHAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER MENTIONED WAS THAT -- THEY REFER TO THEM AT STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, BUT IT IS NOT A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. IT IS AN EXPIRATION DATE.

IF YOU ARE ASSAULTED, ROBBED, THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR YOUR EVIL DOER, FOR YOUR OFFENDER IS FIVE OR 10 YEARS.

BUT TO APPLY FOR THE RELIEF OF THE NEW VISA TO CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IN SOME CASES IT IS TWO YEARS. THAT'S WHAT IT IS UNDER THE POLICY. IN OTHER PLACE ITSELF MIGHT BE FIVE YEARS AND IT MIGHT BE SIX YEARS.

IT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THERE MAY BE PROCESSES FORGETTING THE CERTIFICATION. SO THIS POLICY IS INTENDED TO OFFER A UNIFORM POLICY THAT COMES FROM THIS PARTICULAR WORK SO THAT HOPEFULLY ALL AGENCIES CAN ADOPT IT.

AND THEN THERE IS UNIFORMITY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY REGARDLESS OF WHAT AGENCY MAY HAVE INVESTIGATED THE CRIME THAT YOU WERE VICTIMIZED BY IN THEIR JURISDICTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: [INAUDIBLE] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, IT IS JUST CREATING A MODEL POLICY FOR US TO PROMOTE AND

HOPEFULLY -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: [INAUDIBLE]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: EXACTLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING. START MANDATING TO ENTITIES

THAT HAVE -- [INAUDIBLE] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

JACK YAK THAT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT

ACTUALLY ANSWERED MY QUESTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM?

>> YES, MA'AM. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 31, CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 2 JERRY GARCIA SPEAKING IN PERSON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONSTABLE, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PROVIDE MY PERSPECTIVE FOR JAD'S RECOMMENDED ADVISORY NEW VISA CERTIFICATION POLICY. SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK OFFICE ON JANUARY 1ST, 2021 I HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF MEETING DR. CORREA. SHE INTRODUCED ME TO OTHER MEMBERS OF JAD. FOR MY TEAM AND FOR ME, JAD HAS BEEN A TRUE BLESSING. AS I AM TRYING TO BUILD A DEPARTMENT BASED ON BEST PRACTICES, DR. CORREA AND COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ME IDENTIFY WAYS MY DEPARTMENT CAN IMPROVE FOR THE BETTER MEANT OF CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF MY PRECINCT.

THE NEW VISA POLICY IS ONE OF THESE EXAMPLES.

DR. CORREA'S TEAM ASKED IF WE IS -- IF WE ADD POLICY FOR NEW VISA CERTIFICATION. THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IT WAS DEVELOPED INTO.

I I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A U VISA WAS.

I WAS NEVER ASKED TO COMPLETE A U VISA CERTIFICATION

BEFORE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEADING

COUNCIL. >> THEY EXPLAINED THAT CONGRESS CREATED THE U VISA WITH THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING CRIME VICTIMS TO COOPERATE AND AVOID LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT FEAR OF DEPORTATION AND TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO SURVIVORS OF VIOLENT CRIME, REALIZING THE BENEFITS AND THE USE OF SUCH POLICY, MY TEAM AND I IMMEDIATELY CONDUCTED SOME RESEARCH AND BEGAN THINKING OF WHAT ROLE WE CAN PLAY IN ASSISTING THOSE WHO COULD QUALIFY. AS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST WE REACH BACK TO JAD AND ASK THEM TO CREATE A NEW VISA POLICY WE

[01:40:04]

COULD -- A U VISA POLICY WE COULD ADOPT.

I WANT TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF CRIME AND HELP ADVOCATES WHO ASSIST THEM. I KNOW JAD LOOKED AT WHAT WAS BEING DONE LOCALLY AND CONDUCTED A STUDY BASED ON POLICIES NATIONWIDE AND REACHED OUT TO MANY STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES WHO DEAL WITH U VISAS DAILY. I AM GRATEFUL TO JAD FOR RESEARCHING THIS TOPIC AND FOR THE EXPERTISE AND DEDICATION AND PARTNERSHIP AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THE COMPASSION AND CREATING A FAIR, JUST AND INCLUSIVE POLICY.

WITH THE AUTHORITY I HAVE TO ADOPT THIS POLICY I LOOK FORWARD TO IMPLEMENTING IT AND CONTINUING TO WORK WITH JAD ON THE NEXT STEPS THAT INCLUDE CREATING A RESOURCE GUIDE THAT I CAN SHARE WITH ALL SURVIVORS OF CRIME SEEKING OUT ASSISTANCE. TO JAD I THANK YOU TO THE -- NOT ONLY FOR THE RECOMMENDED U VISA POLICY, BUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR DEPARTMENT AND CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN MY PRECINCT. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU

ALL. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 33, JOY DAVIS OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

SHE IS SPEAKING ON 185 UNDER GRANTS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION FOR GRANT FUNDING. THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE HAS A SMALL NUMBER OF CASES AND THAT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE DOUBLING IN SIZE AND CASE LOADS THEY WILL BE HANDLED BY THE PRIVATE COUNCIL. WE NEED MORE HELP.

PEOPLE NEED MORE HELP. THEY TAKE TIME AWAY FROM OTHER CLIENTS, WHETHER IT IS THE CORE LEGAL TASK AND I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF TOPS AND WE WILL BE TALKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WE INVITE YOU TO COME OUT AND HAVE LUNCH WITH US. WE WILL BE THERE FROM 12 TO 2. WE SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 34, JOHN HALIBURTON OF UR INTERNATIONAL SPEAKING ON 220 UNDER PURCHASING.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI, THIS IS JOHN.

I'M WITH URI REGARDING THIS BID THAT WAS OUT AND THE AWARD THAT WAS OFFERED TO THE OTHER COMPANY.

I -- URI IS A COMPANY OUT OF THE HOUSTON AREA AND WE ARE MINORITY OWNED. THE TWO REASONS GIVEN TO DISQUALIFY US FROM WINNING THE BID WAS THE SIZE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA, WASHINGTON, D.C., DETROIT, MILWAUKEE AND EDMONTON AND OTHERS.

ALL FIVE OF THOSE ARE ABOVE THE POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT WAS ALSO SAID WE WOULD CHARGE AN EXTRA FEE OUTSIDE THE FEE PROPOSED.

WE HAVE CLARIFIED THIS PURCHASING THREE TIMES THAT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. WE WILL NOT CHARGE AN EXTRA FEE THAT WAS PUT IN ERROR IN THE BID PROPOSAL.

THEY SAID, OKAY, THANK YOU. AND IT WAS CONFIRMED WITH THE PURCHASING REPRESENTATIVES THAT WE DID HAVE FIVE REFERENCES OVER THE POPULATION.

WE WERE LOWER COST OF $15 COMPARED TO $22.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 35, EMILY WHITEHURST OF HOUSTON AREA WOMEN CENTER SPEAKING ON ITEM 231 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT.

THE SPEAKER BROUGHT UP -- WE'LL MARK IT, COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS JUST ASKING THE JUDGE IF SHE WOULD PUT THE LAST SPEAKER ITEM ON OUR DISCUSSION LIST AND THAT IS ITEM 220. I JUST HAVE A QUESTION THAT I WAS GOING TO ASK OF THAT WHEN IT COMES TIME.

IT WAS NOT ON OUR DISCUSSION LIST, AND I JUST WANTED TO MOVE THAT TO THE DISCUSSION LIST.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE. GREAT.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 35, EMILY WHITEHURST SPEAKING ON ITEM 231 COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THE COURT.

MY NAME IS EMILY WHITEHURST AND IT IS MY HONOR TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE HOUGHTON -- HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN SATISFIES -- WOMEN'S CENTER. WE FACED SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO WOMEN IN THE WAKE OF THE VIOLENCE.

[01:45:04]

WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING OUR EXPERTISE.

WE ARE SPEAKING ON FC476. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING IT ON THE AGENDA TODAY. IT SHOWS YOUR COMMITMENT TO SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN OUR COUNTY.

LESS THAN 10% OF VICTIMS REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT TO POLICE. AND WE KNOW THAT THE INITIAL REACTION AND RESPONSE BY PROFESSIONALS HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON A VICTIM'S HEALING AND FUTURE ENGAGEMENT WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.

I'D AID GO -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD.

>> LET ME JUST LET YOU KNOW THAT SENATE BILL F476 ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO FORM AN ADULTERY SPAWNS TEAM IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE A STATEWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND A LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF RESOURCES AND AWARENESS AND CONNECTION AND COORDINATION TO ADDRESS SEX CRIMES.

HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS THIS. WE ARE GLAD IT IS GETTING DONE. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON IT. WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH OUR CRISIS CENTERS AND TOGETHER WE BELIEVE THIS BILL AND IN COLLABORATION WITH Y'ALL WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO SURVIVORS IN THE WAKE OF THEIR HORRIFIC VICTIMIZATION. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US ON THIS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IMPLEMENTING THIS LOCAL START -- SPECIAL ASSAULT

RESPONSE TEAM IN OUR REGION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, EMILY AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AT HAWK AND FOR YOUR STAFF AND SONYA IN PARTICULAR.

YOU GUYS ARE PHENOMENAL AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING QUARE OF THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIM THAT'S COME YOUR WAY AND FOR TREATING THEM WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

>> THANK YOU. I BELIEVE MY COLLEAGUE WILL SPEAK A LITTLE LATER TODAY ON THIS AS WELL TO GIVE SOME

SPECIFICS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

>> WE ARE TAG TEAMING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

ALL YOU DO. >> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 36, SONYA CORRELAS FROM THE HOUSTON WOMEN CENTER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI, EVERYONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS.

I TOO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' STAFF AND OFFICE FOR LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS BILL. AND ALSO COMMISSIONER GASH SEE YAW -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU TO YOUR STAFF AND THE WORK THEY DID SPECIFICALLY ON, THIS BUT ALSO TO YOU, PERSONALLY FOR YOUR COMMITMENT ON ADDRESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SITTING ON THE BOARD.

I KNOW FOR THE LAST 29 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS ISSUE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ONE OF THE THINGS, THERE IS GOOD NEWS ABOUT THIS -- ABOUT SENATE BELL 476 AND THAT IS IN HARRIS COUNTY, YOU KNOW, BACK IN 2011 WHEN HOUSTON WAS ADDRESSING THE RAPE KIT BACKLOG THROUGH THE HOUSTON SEXUAL ASSAULT TASK FORCE THERE WAS A MULTI MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM THAT RESULTED BECAUSE OF THAT AND WE HAVE BEEN MEETING SINCE 2014.

SINCE 2014 A MULTI DIS -- DISCIPLINARY TEAM OF THE D.A.

AND HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SONYA, GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE.

>> JUST TO FINISH UP, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMERS AND RAPE CRISIS CENTERS AND THE TURNING POINT, WE HAVE ALL BEEN NEEDING TO ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS. WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE AN EVEN BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO -- FOR US TO CREATE OUR OWN RESPONSE AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT WHEN MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS RESPOND TO SURVIVORS IN A CLIENT CENTER IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED WAY, SURVIVORS ARE MORE LIKELY TO STAY ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND IN CENTERS LIKE OURS TO ADDRESS THE COUNSEL SCG THEY REALLY -- AND THEY REALLY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN ACCESS THE SYSTEMS IN A BETTER WAY.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS. WE KNOW THAT EVEN WITH THIS PARTICULAR TEAM THERE IS MORE ENTITY SWREEZ TO IDENTIFY SUCH AS THE -- ENTITIES WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY SUCH AS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. JUST TO END, THE HOUSTON AREA RECUFF RECENTER WE STAND BESIDE OTHER CENTERS AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO SURVIVORS WHETHER THEY REPORT OR NOT.

WE SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THEN WAY AFTER.

[01:50:02]

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS SENATE BILL 476 AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING IT ON THE AGENDA. I'M PROUD TO BE A RESIDENT OF

HARRIS COUNTY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEAUTIFUL.

SONYA, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR SO MANY YEARS AS WELL. YOU HAVE DONE IT QUIETLY AND DONE IT STEADILY, BUT YOU HAVE DODGE -- HAVE YOU DONE IT MASSIVELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARRY AND ATTENTION -- CARE AND ATTENTION TO SO MANY VICTIMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SONYA, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

KEEP DOING IT. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND FOR CALLING IN.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 37, LISA CARUTHERS WITH PRESIDENT -- WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SPEAKING ON 241 ON TRANSMITALS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GREETINGS JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LISA CARUTHERS THE DIRECTOR OF HAYES REQUIRE COUNTY AFTER SCHOOL DIVISION.

I AM PRESENTING THE FINAL REPORT.

THIS SUMMER YOU SUPPORTED 43 ORGANIZATIONS HOSTING 99 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SERVING 3,480 YOUTH.

YOU HAVE PAINTED A PANDEMIC UNITY MURAL AND LEARNED ABOUT AUDIO ENGINEERING AND BUILT SOLAR OVENS AND ANALYZED SHEET BLOOD CELLS AND GREW VEGETABLES AND PARTICIPATED IN HUNDREDS OF OTHER HIGH-QUALITY SUMMER LEARNING ACTIVITIES.

UNFORTUNATELY THE PANDEMIC CONDITIONS CONTINUE TOY -- TOY VALVE -- 20* EVOLVE. WE WILL WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS IN THE SUMMER OF 2022. IT IS DEDICATED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT-BASED SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMMING.

THE COUNTY'S CHOICE WAS ASTUTE AND VITAL --

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DOES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU WANT TO SH DASH WHAT WHAT IS -- WHAT WAS THE LAST SENTENCE YOU WERE SAYING THERE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO FINISH YOUR COMMENT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK WE LOST HER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN WE SEE 25 SPEAKERS, YOU GUYS NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS SAYING THEY HAVE ONE MINUTE. EVEN TELLING THEM RIGHT WHEN THEY GO TO SPEAK, THEY HAVE REMARKS PREPARED FOR LONGER.

I AM NOT USED TO -- YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY SEEMED LIKE THEY

HAVE SOMETHING -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MAYBE LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY CAN SUBMIT TESTIMONY.

LOOK, IF THEY ARE LIKE ME, HAVE I A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE. I AM PRACTICING TO GET IT DOWN TO FIVE MINUTES. IT WON'T BE THE LAST.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I MAY HAVE A SUGGESTION THAT MIGHT HELP.

IF IN OUR NOTICE WE SAY FIRST THAT SPEECHES WILL BE ONE MINUTE. IF THERE ARE MORE THAN 25.

AND THEN TO FOLLOW-UP, IF THERE ARE LESS THAN 25 IT WILL BE THREE. AND THEN THAT WAY THE FIRST THING THAT SOMEONE READS IS NOT THE THREE-MINUTE.

IT IS THE ONE-MINUTE AND IT WILL BE IN THEIR BRAIN TO BE

PREPARED FOR THE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S A GOOD

IDEA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEY

DON'T KNOW UNTIL -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THEY COME, BUT IT IS EASIER TO GET A LITTLE EXTRA LOQUACIOUS THAN TO TAKE THREE MINUTES AND GET IT TO ONE. THEY CAN PREPARE FOR ONE AND

IF THERE ARE FEWER THAN 25. >> IT WOULD BE WISE TO PREPARE FOR ONE -- AND IT IS MORE VISIBLY AND --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I KNOW WE HAVE A HALF DOZEN NODDED HEADS FROM THE GALLERY WHEN I MADE THAT COMMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TIFFANY, ARE WE DONE WITH THE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS?

WE CAN DO THAT. >> THE NEXT IS NON-AGENDA RELATED DEMITRIUS SIMMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM THE [INAUDIBLE] AND STRATEGIC RECOVERY SOLUTIONS IS A REPLICA OF THE DIVERSION CENTER IN HARRIS COUNTY TO PROVIDE SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND CHALLENGE INDIVIDUALS SERVICES AND RESOURCE SERVICES.

I AM A WOMAN IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY, 41 YEARS.

MY GRANDMOTHER IS THE OLDEST LIVING RESIDENT IN CROSBY, TEXAS. SHE TOOK A PICTURE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AT THE HOMECOMING PARADE.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MATCH SERVICES AND SUBSTANCE USE AND

[01:55:02]

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SERVICES DON'T BLAME IT ON NOTHING ELSE.

I DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT SHE DID.

I AM A PARTY FOR A LAWSUIT IN THE TEXAS STATE COURT OF

APPEALS -- >> JUDGE HIDALGO? WE JUST GOT WORD THAT THE LIVE STREAM WAS OUT.

SO WE NEED TO LET UNIVERSAL SERVICES GET IT -- UNIVERSAL

SERVICES GET IT BACK UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DO

THAT. >> JUDGE, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THE WRONG TITLE. IF SHE VIOLATED THE LAW, WHY

DOES SHE HAVE A JOB? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY CIRCLES BACK AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

>> YOU MAY WANT TO CIRCLE BACK BEFORE NOVEMBER 2ND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> WHY DON'T YOU VISIT WITH ME? YOU IN MY DISTRICT? WHY I HAVE TO VISIT WITH THE MAN OVER HERE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A ONE-MINUTE SPEAKER LIMIT --

>> YOU GOT MY TAX MONEY! GIVE ME MY TAX MONEY BACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ALL NEED TO PLAY A PART. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS CONSISTENTLY IMPLEMENTED ACROSS ALL SPEAKERS.

>> DO YOU NEED US TO TAKE A BREAK?

>> THEY GOT IT BACK UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD ANY OTHER IN-PERSON SPEAKERS AND PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENCE TO ONE MINUTE. COMMENTS TO ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM MARISSA HANSON AND I AM BACK BECAUSE NO ONE RESPONDED ON WHO INFORMED YOU THAT THE VOTING MACHINES WERE OUTDATED. I GOT THE CONTRACTS MYSELF.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- PLEASE LOOK AT ME WHEN I SPEAK TO YOU. YOU WERE THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THE AGENDA ITEM ON JANUARY 26TH FOR THE NEW VOTING MACHINES. I INFORMED YOU THAT THE MACHINES WERE OUT -- WHO INFORMED YOU THAT THE MACHINES WERE OUTDATED? I AM ASKING YOU A QUESTION.

WHO INFORMED YOU THAT THE MACHINES WERE OUTDATED.

YOUR NAME IS ON THIS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW MY OFFICE VISITED WITH MS. HANSON --

>> I WILL ASK ANOTHER. IT WAS ISABEL LONGORIA THAT CLOSED OUT THE CONTRACT ON JANUARY 21ST.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I AM TALKING TO YOU.

WHO INFORMED YOU THAT THE MACHINES WERE OUTDATED? ISABEL LONGORIA OR THE COUNTY CLERK? JUDGE HIDALGO, WHO INFORRED YOU THAT THE -- INFORMED YOU THAT THE MACHINES WERE OUTDATED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU CAN BE IN TOUCH WITH MY OFFICE.

>> IT IS NOT A DEMOCRACY -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY IN THIS COURT.

THIS IS A BANANA REPUBLIC. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN PERSON? ALL RIGHT. THAT SHOULD BE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

LET'S TAKE A -- BECAUSE Y'ALL WALKED OUT WHILE THERE WERE SPEAKERS, BUT I DIDN'T. WE WILL TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK.

WE WILL BE BACK.

[Departments (2 of 7)]

>> IT IS 12:30 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ITEM 13 IS AN AMENDMENT TO A SERVICE AGREEMENT. THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION. THEY WILL RETURN TO A FUTURE MEETING WITH THIS ITEM. SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS, REQUESTED NO ACTION. ITEM 52 ON PAIMG -- PAGE 7 IT SHOULD SAY PRECINCT 2. IT IS A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. ITEM 129 ON PAGE 15, ACQUISITION FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.

THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

ITEM 198 ON PAGE 24 THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. ITEM 237 ON PAGE 29, THAT'S

[02:00:20]

COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 3, THERE IS A CORRECTION.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE RENEWAL DAYS TO NOVEMBER 1ST, 2021 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2022. SO THOSE ARE THE MINOR CORRECTION ITEMS. ARE FOLKS HAVING TROUBLE HEARING ME? ALL RIGHT.

WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.

[Departments (3 of 7)]

THERE IS A REQUEST BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 3 FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REAPPOINT BENITA GUERRIER.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO BACK FOR THAT ITEM?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO, YOUR

HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 258 REQUEST BY A COUNTY ADMINISTRATION FOR DISCUSSION ON SECURITY ADMINISTRATIONS. WE NEED TO GO BACK.

THAT'S 258. A REQUEST CONCERNING LLOYD SMITH, THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

>> THEY ARE ASKING FOR A -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ONE?

>> 259. IT IS A PROVED -- APPROVED AS PRESENTED MINUS THE POSSIBLE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME CONFIRM.

COMMISSIONER, WE JUST GOT THROUGH THE CORRECTIONS SO WE JUST STARTED THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. DO YOU NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE TEXAS WATER

DEVELOPMENT BOARD? >> NO, MA'AM.

AND IN THAT CASE, JAMES, IT IS SIMPLY APPROVAL AS PRESENTED AND REMOVE THE POSSIBLE ACTION.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND THERE IS ITEM 260.

THE APPOINTMENT OF BROCK CRENEK.

>> NOPE. >> AND REMOVES THE WORDS

POSSIBLE ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 261, AND COUNTY ATTORNEY COULD LIKE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO HAIR REQUIRES COUNTY AND NORTON ROSE FULL BRIGHT.

CEO DOES NOT NEED TO GO UNLESS MEMBERS HAVE MORE DETAILED QUESTIONS. I CAN GIVE A CURSORY THAT THIS IS THE AGREEMENTS WE MADE WITH THE VARIOUS HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH NURSES. THIS FIRM WILL MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS PRESENTED IN THE BEST WAY SO THAT WE ARE ALL REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE HIRING THEM TO DO THAT AND I DON'T HAVE THE HIRING.

NO NEED TO GO BACK. LEAVEN LEAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: 262, AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND ORRICK SPECIAL COUNSEL SERVICES RELATED TO

TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL GOOD.

LEAN 263 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: 263, REQUEST TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION RELATED TO TCEQ, CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS. CAW DOES NOT HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNLESS THERE ARE FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> JUDGE, THIS IS JAY. THAT IS ONE ITEM I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BECAUSE OF SOME ISSUE THAT'S HAVE COME INTO MY PRECINCT, I WOULD

THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL -- YES? WE WILL MARK ITEM 263 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. THOSE SHOULD BE ALL THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. WE WOULD BE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 258 TO DISCUSS INTERNAL COUNTY SECURITY OPERATIONS AND 263 ON THE TCEQ PERMIT FOR BATCH FUNDS.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: 270, THAT IS SQUAT TIFF SESSION FOR UPDATE ON PUBLIC DEFENDER POST-CONVICTION LITIGATION COST.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS WASN'T ON MY AGENDA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: SUPPLEMENTAL SHOULD BE ON HERE. LET ME GO THROUGH ALL OF

[02:05:02]

THEM. 270 IS THE ONLY ONE WE HAVEN'T GONE OVER. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM PUBLIC DEFENDER REGARDING COSTS OF POST-CONVICTION LITIGATION ABOUT SYSTEMIC ERRORS.

SO WE WOULD BE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE POSITION OF GEORGE FLOYD SO I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT IS BEING DONE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THOSE FOLKS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER ITEM THAT'S HAVE BEEN LABELED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

IN THAT CASE, HERE ARE THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED

[Departments (4 of 7) ]

FOR POTENTIAL -- POTENTIALLY FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 2, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE ALREADY PASSED THAT ONE, CORRECT? ITEM 9, APPROVAL OF HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE CHILD TAX CREDIT EXPANSION.

AND THAT ONE I DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS, BUT I DID WANT TO JUST MENTION VERY BRIEFLY WHAT AN IMPORTANT ITEM THIS IS AND THANK THE STAFF FOR WORKING ON IT.

THE PROGRAM WOULD -- IF WE CAN EXTEND THE PROGRAM TO AROUND 2,000, 5,000 CHILDREN WE WILL GET AT LEAST 6 TO 15 MILLION TO HARRIS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS RECOVERING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. THIS EXPANDS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR MANY FAMILIES, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES KNOW TO APPLY AND THIS WILL MORE THAN PAY FOR ITSELF AND THE FUNDS OUR COMMUNITIES WILL GET BACK. I WOULD ONLY ASK THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE TEAM SEES SUCCESS IN THE PROGRAM AND THE UP TAKE THAT WE GROW IT.

I KNOW THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A BETA TESTING TO SEE IF IN FACT INVESTING HALF A MILLION DOLLARS WILL LEAD TO MORE

FAMILIES APPLYING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

EXCITED THAT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT IS AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITIES. WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL I REMEMBER THAT THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT THAT HOUSTON WAS AMONG THE LOWEST RANKING MAJOR CITIES IN AMERICA TO APPLY FOR AND IT WAS CALLED THE ANTI-POVERTY BENEFIT.

SO I IMPLORED MAYOR WHITE AT THE TIME TO PUT SOME POWER BEHIND THIS, AND IT IS KIND OF IRONIC BECAUSE THERE IS A YOUNG LADY WE PUT IN CHARGE OF IT BY THE NAME OF CLAUDIA AGUIRRE. SHE RAMPED IT UP SO WONDERFULLY AND SHE PUT US AT THE TOP RUNG OF THE CITY IN THAT REGARD. THAT AND THIS ARE GAME CHANGERS FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES.

I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS ON THE ITEM AND GLAD WE THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING SOME ARPA DOLLARS TO IT.

>> I WILL SAY, AND IF IT IS WORKING AND IF IT IS NOT

ENOUGH, DO MORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE LEAVE

IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

ITEM 12 PUBLIC HEALTH TO ACCEPT AN AMENDMENT AND IT IS THE IMMUNIZATION COVID-19 GRANT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I GOT MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED, JUDGE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 15, THE DISCUSSION OF THE PANDEMIC. I SIMPLY HAD A BRIEF UPDATE THAT THE NUMBERS ARE LOOKING A LOT BETTER.

ONLY ONE OF OUR INDICATORS REMAINS IN ORANGE -- EXCUSE ME IN RED AND THAT IS HOSPITAL. IT NEEDS TO BE 15% AND RIGHT NOW IT IS 29.7%. IF TRENDS CONTINUE WE SHOULD GET TO ORANGE. WE WILL HOPE THAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS IN TOUCH WITH THE TAX OFFICE AND THE ECONOMY OF GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE.

THE TASK OFFICE HAS BEEN OPEN AT 25% CAPACITY, BUT THEY ARE

[02:10:04]

LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER BRANCHES THAT CAN OPEN AT HIGHER CAPACITY IF WE GET TO ORANGE AND THEN THAT WILL TAKE PLACE. PUBLIC HEALTH IS LOOKING INTO

IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO COVER THERE.

WE CAN PUT IT -- NO ACTION, JAMES.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 17 --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE? THIS IS DIRECTED TO ADMINISTRATIVE PERRY. THIS SHEET THAT IS PRODUCED BY HIS OFFICE IS VERY, VERY HELPFUL.

THAT'S THE SHEET THAT BASICALLY HAS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE AGENDA DISCUSSION ITEMS. I AM GOING TO MAKE A MINOR TWEAK SUGGESTION AND THAT IS THAT YOU LIST THE JUDGE'S ITEMS SO IT SHOWS UP ON WHAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING AND MAYBE ATTACH ON THE BOTTOM END OF IT THE ITEM THAT'S WOULD BE THE ONE THAT'S WOULD BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO FROM ONE DOCUMENT WE CAN ALL OPERATE FROM A SIMILAR DOCUMENT.

LET ME GO BACK TO MY FIRST STATEMENT THAT I REALLY LIKE THIS DOCUMENT. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO TWEAK IT. IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR US AND OPERATING ON IT. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THAT

TOGETHER FOR US. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 17 AND COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 TRANSFER FUNDS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 18 AND THIS IS A CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG FUNDING. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED IT AND I THINK ALL OF US WANT TO HEAR AN UPDATE ON THIS.

WE'LL KEEP THAT FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 20. AUTHORIZE BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFER FOR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WAS JUST -- THAT HAS TO DO WITH A TRANSMITAL I THINK RELATED TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. I'M FINE WITH THE -- I'M FINE WITH THE TRANSMITAL EXCEPT FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MAYBE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT

ITEMS. >> TOM RAMSEY: ARE YOU TALKING

ABOUT 20? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT DOES SAY

CERTAIN COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

AND CERTAIN COUNTY DEPARTMENTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WAIT. >> TOM RAMSEY: A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL TRANSFERS EXCEPT THE 1.156 MILLION -- 1 MILLION 156THOUSAND AND 341 TO -- FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. APPROVE ALL OTHERS EXCEPT THAT

ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WHAT IS THAT TRANSFER FOR, DAVE?

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY A TRANSFER TO THE ELECTION SERVICES FUND I BELIEVE FROM OTHER JURISDICTION THAT'S WE CONDUCTED ELECTIONS ON BEHALF OF.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH, SO THAT IS APPLYING THE LAW THAT ANY

FUNDS COLLECTED -- >> THIS IS ACTUALLY NEW -- NEWLY CERTIFIED REVENUE AND NOT A TRANSFER FROM OUR

EXISTING RESERVES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE ADMINISTERED ELECTIONS PER JURISDICTION AND THEY ARE PAYING US FOR THAT WHICH BY LAW NEEDS TO GO TO THIS

ELECTION FUND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I CAN MAKE

A SUGGESTION -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND FOR A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S CONCERN IS THAT IT IS GOING TO A NEW BUDGET.

IT IS NOT GOING TO A NEW BUDGET.

>> IT IS TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION BUDGET AND NOT

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE EVERYTHING OTHER THAN THE PART PAID FOR ELECTIONS -- WHICH I ASSUME IN THE PAST THEY PAID FOR THEIR

ELECTIONS, RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS TRANSFERS THE FUNDS TO THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT.

THE MOTION IS TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE TRANSFERS EXCEPT FOR THE PAYMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR DEPARTMENT.

>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION WAS BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND

SECONDED BY CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE FOLLOW-UP MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE ITEMS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT FAILS 3-2.

THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM -- I AM IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM AS PRESENTED AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THAT WAS ITEM 20.

NEXT IS ITEM 22. AN AGREEMENT WITH PAGE SUTHERLAND. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

[02:15:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SIMPLY THAT I AM GLAD TO SEE THIS IS ON THE AGENDA, AND IT IS IMPORTANT WE CONSIDER DOING THIS COUNTY WIDE BECAUSE OUR INCLINATION IS THAT THE FACILITY IS INCREDIBLY OLD AND WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF REMODELING AND THEY WERE ADA COMPLY -- COMPLIANT.

I AM EXCITED FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AND SEE WHAT CONDITION OUR FACILITY IS ON.

AGAIN I ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO DO THIS AT THEIR FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY AND GENERAL COUNTY BUILDINGS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ITEM 101 ON PAGE 12. AN INTER LOCALE AGREEMENT FOR IMPROVEMENTS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. SIMILARLY, JUDGE, YES THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ONE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS, PARTNERSHIP PROG JEBLGHT -- PROJECT AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. THEY ARE WORKING WITH US AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM TO PUT OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND HELP MOVE IN A GOOD DIRECTION.

IT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

[Departments (5 of 7)]

THAT'S IMPORTANT. ITEM 150.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE NOVEMBER 2021 ELECTION. FLAGGED BY PRECINCTS 3 AND 4.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO DISCUSS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DO HAVE A NOTE THAT IT IS NO ACTION FOR

WHATEVER THAT IS WORTH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S RIGHT. I'M SORRY.

IT WAS PULLED FOR NO ACTION? IF IT IS PULLED FOR NO ACTION,

I DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS. >> TOM RAMSEY: SAME HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. SO THERE IS NO ACTION ON ITEM 150. 156.

DISCUSSION FOR RULE OF THE U-VISA POLICY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I AM EXCITED AND I WANT TO THANK JAD AND EVERYONE WORKING ON THIS. IT HAS BEEN A LONG-TIME COMING. I WANT TO THANK THE SPEAKERS WHO CALLED IN EARLIER. I AM EXCITED.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE.

IT WILL HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED AND IT WILL HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKE SOME HORRIBLE PEOPLE OFF THE STREET. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON THIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IT IS NOT A SECRET THAT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN THE COMMUNITY LIVE IN THE SHADOWS, SO THEY ARE AFRAID TO REPORT CRIME. THIS IS GOING TO HELP POLICE GO AFTER CRIMINALS AND IT IS GOING TO HELP VICTIMS SEEK COURAGE. IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HEARD THE DISCUSSION EARLIER AND IT IS OPTIONAL. IT IS NOT MANDATORY.

IF SOMEBODY DOES NOT WANT TO DO IT, THEY DON'T HAVE TO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING TO JOIN IN.

I HAVE CONCERNS IF IT APPEARED THAT WE WERE GOING TO DO A MANDATORY BLANKET RULE FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS.

WITH THE PLAN -- EXPLANATION COMMISSIONER GARCIA GAVE I WILL LEND MY SUPPORT AS LONG AS IT IS NOT BINDING ON INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO LEAVE IT LOCAL?

IS IT ALL RIGHT? >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WAS GOOD.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A DASHBOARD. SO IF WE CAN JUST MAKE A REQUEST. AND IF THEY HAVE A --

[INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT WILL REMAIN ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

ITEM 220. IT IS AN AWARD FOR THE -- OH

THIS IS THE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS THE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE AND I WANT A CLARIFICATION QUESTION FOR DWIGHT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE I'S ARE DOTS AND THE T'S ARE CROSSED AND IF HE IS COMFORTABLE MOVING WITH THIS

OR IF HE NEEDS TIME. >> COMMISSIONER, I AM FINE.

AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS AS WELL.

THE VENDOR DID HAVE A LOWER COST.

I THINK THIS IS A REQUEST FOR AN OFFER THAT ALLOWS US TO LOOK AT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS FOR MULTIPLE AGENCIES.

THE COMPARISON OF THE TWO WHILE THEY DID OFFER SOME SERVICES, THE OTHER VENDOR HAD A MORE ROBUST ABILITY TO DO THE SERVICE. I CAN CLEAR IT UP WITH THE

[02:20:02]

SHERIFF. THERE IS A LOT OF RESEARCH TO DETERMINE WHAT SERVICES THEY NEEDED FOR THIS TOWING

CONTRACT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO -- SOFTWARE?

>> THIS IS A TURN KEY, SIR, COMMISSIONER, THAT WE DON'T EVEN PAY FOR IT. THE COST IS GOING TO THE CONSTITUENT. IT IS IF A CAR IS TOWED AND A CRIME SCENE TOW.

THERE ARE A MULTIPLE -- MULTITUDE OF THINGS THAT TAKE PLACE. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT CLAIMED -- THERE ARE MULTIPLE THINGS THAT GO INTO IT.

I KNOW THE REFERENCES THAT WERE CHECKED WHILE THEY DID OFFER REFERENCES THAT MET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE REFERENCES OF THE AGENCIES THAT THE OTHER COMPANY DOES, THEY ARE A MUCH LARGER AND MORROW BUST SERVICE -- MORE ROBUST AGENCY COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WERE PROVIDING.

IT WAS NOT JUST A LOW BID. IT WAS A BROADER REQUEST FOR OFFER AND THEY PICKED THE BEST OF THE TWO OPTIONS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TO BE REDUNDANTLY REPETITIVE, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE GOING FORWARD?

YOU DO NOT NEED MORE TIME? >> NO, SIR, I DO NOT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I CAN LEAVE IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU, DWIGHT.

>> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

SO THAT'S 220 REMAINS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

228 IS A PROPOSAL FOR THE CLEAN STREETS INITIATIVE AND I

AM HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S A GOOD -- I WASN'T QUESTIONING THE NEED.

IT IS A GREAT INITIATIVE. I THINK ALL OF US IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS ARE DOING SOME VARIATION OF THIS, JUDGE.

JUST QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE 50 MILLION AND WHERE THAT IS COMING FROM AND HOW EACH PRECINCT WILL PARTICIPATE IN

THIS GOING FORWARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I ALSO WANTING -- ALSO WANT TO OFFER MY APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SMART AND INAT THE GENT -- SMART IN AND TELL GENT APPROACH -- AND INTELLIGENT APPROACH TO INVESTING STRATEGICALLY INTO NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S DON'T SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO STREETLIGHTS.

FOR THIS INITIATIVE TO BRING SOME APPROACH AND ATTENTION AND INVESTMENT IS SUCH A GOOD PUBLIC SAFETY APPROACH AND STRATEGY. AS I MENTIONED, IN PRECINCT 2 WE CALL THIS DRIVE TO THRIVE. THE ALDEN AREA IS GETTING REPLACEMENT AND IT IS REVITALIZING WITHOUT GENTRIFICATION. IT IS GIVING PEOPLE A NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IT IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE THINGS THAT MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOOD, SIDEWALKS, GOOD DRAINAGE, STREETLIGHTING AND EVEN STREET STRIPING AS A MATTER OF VEHICLE SAFETY. OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU GIVE A COMMUNITY A FACE-LIFT LIKE WHAT YOU INTENDED, PEOPLE CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY IT. WHEN MORE GOOD PEOPLE ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, MOST BAD FOLKS LOOKS FOR OTHER PLACES TO GO. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS, JUDGE, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE WITH YOU ON

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WILL DISCUSS IT FOR A COUPLE MORE

MINUTES? >> LINA HIDALGO: SOUNDS LIKE THE QUESTIONS ARE QUICK. MAYBE, DAVE, YOU CAN COMMENT ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTIONS AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND WE CAN

MOVE ON. >> CERTAINLY.

WHAT I HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS NUMBER ONE WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM? I THINK WE WILL LOOK AT A MULTITUDE OF SOURCES HERE. I CAN'T SAY WE HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT, BUT THIS IS A MOTION AS I READ IT TO GET THE INITIATIVE GOING. WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT COUNTY DEBT FUNDS THROUGH CIP.

THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO. WE CAN LOOK AT GENERAL FUNDS.

WE CAN LOOK AT ARPA FUNDING. I THINK THERE COULD BE

POSSIBILITIES THERE AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE RAN IT BY DAVE'S OFFICE AND IT IS FUNDING THAT IS DEDICATED TO ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS! SOMEONE BROUGHT UP ARPA FROM ONE OF THE OTHER OFFICES. I ASK THAT GO THROUGH THE ARPA PROCESS AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE RESPECT THAT PROCESS AND IF THERE ARE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES FOR ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ON THE QUESTION OF HOW THE DECISION S WHO BE MADE, ONE THING I HAVE

[02:25:08]

BEEN SURPRISED BY ARE THE NUMBER OF STUDIES THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THIS. MY HOPE IS DAVE CAN WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOME OF THE ACADEMICS TO COME UP WITH SOME SORT OF A FORMULA THAT HELPS US FIGURE OUT IS IT A ZIP CODABLE -- ZIP CODE ANALYSIS? HOW CAN WE DO MATH ON THE AREA THAT'S HAVE THE MOST RATE OF CRIME AS WELL AS THE AREAS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN THE LEAST UNDER INVESTMENT. AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT I'M SURE THESE AREAS EXIST IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS.

PRESUMABLY THEY WORK WITH YOUR STAFF ON IT AS WELL.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS GREAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN EACH PRECINCT. IT TAKES ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS TO LIGHT UP A NEIGHBORHOOD OF 4,000 PEOPLE.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME GOOD DATA TO REFERENCE AS WE MOVE INTO THIS. IT IS A GOOD INITIATIVE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE EPISODES TO WHERE SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE ELSE CAME UP WITH AN IDEA AND PACKAGED IT WITH A NEW BOW AND A RIBBON, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR QUITE AWHILE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS BEING MODEST, BUT PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 3 IS THE BEST OUT OF THE FOUR OF US IN TERMS OF POCKET PARTS.

AFTER THE LAST ROUND OF REDISTRICTING I INHERITED 9 AND I THINK WE HAVE 11 OR 12 OF THOSE POCKET PARTS TO WHERE YOU WOULD HAVE A LITTLE BLIGHTED SECTION IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THERE IS CRIME AND HIGH WEEDS AND ISSUES LIKE THAT. COMMISSIONER RADACK WENT IN AND BOUGHT IT AND PUT IN A GO SEE BOW AND -- GAZEBO AND MOWED IT. HE HAS HIS TEAM THAT GOES THROUGH. WE HAVE 11 OF THESE TO WHERE SOME OF THEM ARE RIGHT NEXT TO WHAT WERE HIGH-CRIME AREAS.

YOU PUT IN THE LIGHTS AND YOU SHINE LIGHTS.

WE STILL HAVE THINGS WE HAVE TO PICK UP IN THE MORNINGS THAT WE ARE NOT ALWAYS QUITE PLEASED WITH, BUT WE IMPROVED THE COMMUNITIES AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS IS A PART OF THE PARKS PROGRAM.

I HATE TO BRAG ON ANOTHER COMMISSIONER, BUT PRECINCT 3 REALLY HAS THIS DOWN TO AN ART FORM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I TAKE EXCEPTION TO THAT.

JUDGE, WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A NEIGHBOR POINT TO A WEEDED LOT , TRASH AND COMPLAINING ABOUT SNAKES, RATS, POSSUMS, RACCOONS, STRAY DOGS COMING OVER TO HER HOME AND ANOTHER NEIGHBOR WHO HAS LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS AFFIRMING THAT PLACE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THAT LONG, AND THEN RESEARCHING AND FINDING OUT IT WAS AN ABANDONED COUNTY ROAD THAT IS TODAY NOW A BEAUTIFUL POCKET PARK.

IT IS IN AN AREA AND IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN THAT KIND OF PROJECT.

THEY LOVE IT AND THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THEY USE IT. SO WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD A LONG-STANDING POCKET PARK PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER CAGLE,

BUT I WILL TELL YOU -- >> I AM TRYING TO CATCH UP TO

PRECINCT 3 ON THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE TAKING ONE MAN'S TRASH AND TURNING IT INTO ONE COMMUNITY'S TREASURE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHERE MY DISCUSSION WAS GOING WITH THIS, JUDGE, IS THAT WE ARE AWARE AS COMMISSIONERS OF WHERE A LOT OF THE PROBLEM AREAS ARE.

THE ABANDONED ROADS. THAT IS A PARK WHERE WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WE ARE RENTING FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR LIKE A BUCK FOR 30 YEARS THAT FACILITY. WE GOT DONATIONS FROM THE QATARIS THAT ARE PUTTING IN SOCCER FIELDS THAT TIE INTO WHERE WE DO THE RIBBON CUTTING.

THAT WAS AN ABANDONED FIELD WITH NOTHING BUT TALL GRASS AND CREATURES AND A SPOT FOR CRIMINALS TO GET IN THERE.

SO MY SUGGESTION IS AS THIS PROGRAM MOVES FORWARD WE INCORPORATE THAT WITH WHAT WE ARE ALREADY DOING AND PERHAPS TO DO THIS TO WHERE EACH COMMISSIONER HAS A FOURTH OF THIS AS A BUDGET ITEM BEING IN BLIGHTED AREAS.

I KNOW IN PRECINCT 4 WE CAN DO THAT.

WE APPROVED THE SPARKS ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

THERE ARE SOME SPARKS PROGRAMS. THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN AND WE PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL THAT'S IN A ROUGH AREA AND WE PUT IN SCHOOL EQUIPMENT IN THAT AREA

[02:30:06]

WITH EXTRA LIGHTING FOR THEM AND THEN IT IS A COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND INSTEAD OF A WALLED OFF PLAYGROUND FOR THE SCHOOL AND IT I'M -- IMPROVES THE QUALITY.

I NOTE THAT IT IS ON THE AGENDA SOMEWHERE.

MY COLLEAGUES HAVE A SPARKS DONATION AND MAYBE COMMISSIONER TOO. GREAT PROGRAM.

ALL OF THIS GOES TOWARD THIS THING.

I DO HAVE OTHER PARTS IN HERE THAT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT I AM NECESSARILY GOING TO WANT US TO PAY FOR AIR CONDITIONING FOR PEOPLE AND SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED IN HERE. IN TERMS OF THE GREEN SPACE THAT IS UNUTILIZED AND IT IS TRASH AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT BECAUSE IT IMPROVES YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SAY THAT THERE IS SOME SCIENCE TO THIS. I COMMEND YOU FROM BRINGING -- FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. I WOULD SAY NOT TO GO WITH ONE/FOURTH, ONE-FOURTH, ONE-FOURTH.

HERE IS WHY. WE KNOW THERE ARE AREAS THAT ARE NEGLECTED. WE DON'T DO ONE-FOURTH, ONE-40 -- ONE-FOURTH IN A HOST OF AREAS.

A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES ARE LEFT BEHIND.

I WILL SAY FROM THE RESEARCH MY STAFF CAME UP WITH THAT THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE MOST GUN VIOLENCE ARE THE SAME ONES THAT HAVE SUFFERED FOR DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT AND PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC DECLINE.

THERE IS A STUDY FROM THE JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS THAT SHOWS VIOLENT CRIME INCREASES 19% IN THE AREAS WHERE FORECLOSED HOMES BECOME VACANT.

THIS CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN IS A PROVEN STRATEGY IN PHILADELPHIA.

THEY ADD RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDY AND FOUND THAT SIMPLY GREENING AND PIPPING -- PICKING UP TRASH LEAD TO A DROP IN CRIME. AND THEY FOUND STRUCTURAL REPAIRS TO HEATING, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND ROOFING, THE OWNERS OF LOW INCOME HOMES SAW A 20% DROP IN TOTAL CRIME INCLUDING HOMICIDES.

AND IN PHILADELPHIA THEY FOUND EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED IN COMMUNITY CAREENING INITIATIVES $333 IS SAVED IN MEDICAL, INCARCERATION AND MEDICAL EXPENSES.

I ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DONG -- HAVE DONE WITH THE CRIME PREVENTION. COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION. IF THERE IS A CHANCE TO KEEP ANYONE FROM JUST POINTING FINGERS AND FOCUSING ON SOME OF THESE ROOT CAUSES, IT IS A CHANCE TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES. WE CAN INCREASE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS AND PIC FUND TRANSFERS AND THERE IS MORE COMING UP LATER. IT CREATED A 6TH DISTRICT ASSOCIATE JUDGESHIPS AND ALL OF THE STAFF AND THE RESPONSE DOCKETS. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. 22ADA POSITIONS FROM 3.5 MILLION. THERE WAS A TRIAGE PROGRAM AND THEY MAY HAVE TO DO MORE. BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE CAN ADD TO IT. WE SET UP LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. I THINK THE PRICE TAG YOU PUT ON IT IS APPROPRIATE. WE OUGHT TO HAVE SOME EQUITY LENS ON HOW WE DO IT. IT IS WHEREVER THEY ARE.

>> I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S POINT ON THE EXPERIENCE THAT EVERYBODY HAS. IT IS SOMETHING YOUR TEAM IS AWARE OF AND IT BEARS REPEATING OBVIOUSLY LEANING ON THIS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. IT IS NOT ONLY A PLUS, BUT FOR THE PROGRAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THIS PUZZLED ME AS WELL AND THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW A VERY STRONG AND STATISTICAL

[02:35:06]

CORRELATION BETWEEN THE HEAT AND THE CRIME RATE AND ANYWAY, THE STUDIES ARE OUT THERE. DON'T LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF IT IS SOMETHING WORTH INVESTING IN.

OBVIOUSLY THE SIDEWALKS AND THE LIGHTING AND I THINK SOMETHING WE LEARNED FROM ARPA IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOME SORT OF ALGORITHM THAT IS TRANSPARENT AND FAIR.

THAT WOULD BE MY HOPE. IF THERE IS A DISPARITY WE CAN DISCUSS IT. AND THAT WE HAVE SOME SORT OF MATH AND THAT IS CLEAR TO EVERYBODY.

>> GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITY IS IMPORTANT.

UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY ONLY HAS US.

SOME OF THESE OTHER AREAS HAVE RESOURCES, NAMELY CITIES.

WE SERVE SOME 32, 33 CITIES. AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC EQUITY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO HAVE NO RESOURCES BUT US ARE NOT LEFT BEHIND.

>> RIGHT. IF YOU WILL LOOK AT THAT.

LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS, YOU KNOW THAT THE INVESTMENTS VARY. SOME PLACES THEY DO $50 MILLION AND IT HELPED ABOUT 15 NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT'S WHY I PUT AT LEAST. THEY WILL LOOK AT WHAT FUNDING WE HAVE AVAILABLE AND WHAT IMPACT WE CAN HAVE WHERE IT IS THE BANG FOR THE BUCK AND WE CAN AFFORD IT.

I IMAGINE THERE IS MORE IN NEED THAN WHAT THIS FUNDING WOO COVER AND WE CAN SEE HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS AND GO FROM THERE BASED ON BUDGET -- BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.

I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO AT THIS TIME WE DISCUSSED IT AND REFERRING FOR FURRED STUDY. THERE IS NO VOTING WE NEED TO

DO? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION WOULD BE FOR OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATE TORE WORK WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS AND SUBJECT MATTER AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EXPLORE FUNDING OPTIONS INCLUDING CAPITAL IMPROVE MEANT PROJECT AND OTHER APPROPRIATE FUNDING SOURCES FOR A ONE-TIME SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TOTALING AT LEAST $50 MILLION BASED ON THE SUCCESSFUL CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN MODEL.

MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN SPACES AND INCLUDING COVERAGE AND NIRVE TIFF -- INITIATIVES TO REDUCE HEAT AND STREETLIGHTING AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND IMPROVE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY IN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE CONCENTRATION OF GUN VIOLENCE ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTY AND RELEVANT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ARE NEEDED. THAT IS THE MOTION.

>> DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT? >> I'LL MOVE IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BEFORE WE VOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST WE TAKE AIR CONDITIONING OUT FOR NOW.

YOU CAN STUDY IT, BUT I HAVE A LITTLE PUSH BACK ON WHO YOU WILL PROVIDE AIR CONDITIONERS FOR NOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TREE COVERAGE AND OTHER THINGS TO REDUCE

HEAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM GOOD WITH REDEUCING HEAT. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO AIR

CONDITIONING? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN PULL

THAT OUT WHEN IT COMES BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TREE COVERAGE AND OTHER INITIATIVES TO REDUCE HEAT. YOU GUYS CAN LOOK INTO AIR CONDITIONING IF IT IS RELEVANT AND NOT IF IT IS NOT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THAT

WORK, JAMES? >> YES, THE MOTION AS YOU READ

IT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST TAKE OUR

AIR CONDITIONING. >> LINA HIDALGO: OTHER INITIATIVES TO REDUCE HEAT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CUSTOMER -- CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THIS TO TAKE SO LONG.

I APPRECIATE IT. 231.

[Departments (6 of 7)]

THIS IS THE NEWLY PASSED 476, SEXUAL ASSAULT TEAM

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I BELIEVE THIS WILL GO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. LET ME JUST SAY THE LEGISLATURE DID PASS SENATE BILL 476.

AND THIS EFFECTIVELY REQUIRES THAT COMMISSIONER'S COMMISSIONERS' COURT APPOINT MEMBERS AND SET A DATE FOR THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COUNTY AND SEXUAL RESPONSE TEAM BY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR. THE TEAM IS THEN REQUIRED TO MEET QUARTERLY AND ESTABLISH A WRITTEN RESPONSE PROTOCOL WITHIN A YEAR. WHILE WE PRETTY MUCH ALREADY DO THIS AND WHILE WE CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT EFFORTS TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING. AS WE ALL KNOW HE HAS BEEN A

[02:40:04]

PHENOMENAL LEADER IN BRINGING THE AGENCIES TOGETHER AND COORDINATING RESPECTIVE RESPONSES AND WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL I WAS WORKING ALONGSIDE THEM ON THE RAPE KIT AND CRIME LAB AND PROPERTY ISSUES WE IDENTIFIED BACK THEN. AND SO NOW THIS BASICALLY FORMALIZES WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

THE ONE ENTITY IS NOT A CURRENT MEMBER OF WHAT IS BEING DONE AND THIS BRINGS ALL OF THE RESPECTIVE STAKEHOLDERS AND DEALERS TOGETHER AND OVER TIME, VISIONS OF THE COUNTY WIDE TEAM AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES GROUP.

THERE IS A TURNING POINT TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN TEAMS TO BETTER SERVE VICTIMS. I AM HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION ON

THIS NOW, JUDGE. >> SO WE WILL KEEP ITEM 231 ON

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> FOR CLARITY WHAT IS THE

MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION -- JUST TO MAKE SURE JAMES HAS IT, THE MOTION IS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH NEW STATE LAW RESULTING FROM SENATE BILL 476 AND TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE HOW THE COUNTY UH -- SUPPORTS VICES -- VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

I ASK THEM TO TALK TO ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM. I ASK JAD TO RETURN TO COURT ON NOVEMBER 9TH THIS YEAR WITH A LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO FORMALLY APPOINT AS INAUGURAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY'S ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM INCLUDING THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR AND TO CALL THE TEAM'S FIRST MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 351 OF

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. IT IS 232.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS WILL STAY ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA, AND I MOVE ON THE ITEMS, BUT THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP WHERE WE HONOR THE LIFE OF SISSY FARENTHOLD, BUT THE SPARK PROGRAM IS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HER DAUGHTER, KATHLEEN OLMSBY AT THE CITY. THIS PARK IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AREA SCHOOLS. HISTORICALLY IT HAS BEEN WITH HSD, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE TO ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH ANY PRECINCT WOULD WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND IT IS INCLUDING NOT ONLY HSD, BUT PASADENA AND CHANNEL VIEW ISD WHICH ARE PART OF PRECINCT 2. ANOTHER COLLABORATION, BUT ALSO WHERE WE ARE PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS TO BRING HEALTHY ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY.

I MOVE ON THE REST OF THE ITEMS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE ONE COMPLAINT ABOUT HER.

KATHLEEN. SHE NEEDS TO DUPLICATE HERSELF SO SHE CAN BRING US MORE OF THESE PROJECTS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: RIGHT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: SHE IS A

GREAT PARTNERSHIP. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY SO THAT WILL BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THAT'S REALLY EXCITING. ITEM --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL SECOND THE SPARK PARK PRAM SO

I CAN BE ON THE RECORD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVED IT AND GARCIA SECONDED.

LET'S MOVE ON. IT ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT WAS 232. OKAY, 241.

THE FINAL REPORT ON THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON THE COUNTY CONNECTIONS SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH INITIATIVE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH IS THAT? OWE YEAH. JUDGE I WANT TO SAY IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND I THINK WE HAD A SPEAKER EARLIER.

I HOPE IT IS SOMETHING WE DECIDE TO FUND AGAIN.

I WANT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO THAT SO YOU KNOW.

[02:45:02]

THE COUNTY CONNECTION SUMMER PROGRAM IS FOR K-12 WITH A FOCUS OF OFFSETTING THE REDUCTION IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19. WE USED HARRIS COUNTY FUNDING TO DO IT. 4080,000 -- 480,000 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED. 84 ORGANIZATIONS REQUESTED 1.7 MILLION AND COUNTY CONNECTIONS AWARDED THREE ORGANIZATIONS 619,000. I THINK IT IS 163,000 WENT TO PRECINCT 1. IT IS A GOOD PROGRAM AND I HOPE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN EMULATE DOWN THE ROAD.

OTHER THAN THAT, WE WILL LEAVE IT ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IT IS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I FORGOT TO MENTION ERIKA LEE.

SHE PUSHED ME ME -- ME TO DO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS NUMBER 241.

[Emergency/Supplemental items]

NEXT IS 267. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY COMMENTS CAN BE DONE NOW OR WAIT TO DISCUSS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM IN FAVOR OF US HAVING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PROCUREMENT HANDBOOKS FOR PURCHASING. I WOULD NOTE THOUGH THAT WE ARE -- WE ARE ABOUT TO LAUNCH AND DWIGHT CAN TELL US OUR UPDATED WEB WHICH LISTS A LOT OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IN THERE, AND I WANT TO COMMEND HIS OFFICE FOR BASICALLY EITHER BEING IN TANDEM WITH THIS REQUEST OR AHEAD OF IT A SLIGHT BIT. DWIGHT CAN TELL US WHEN IT GOES LIVE. I MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE MINORITY CONTRACTORS AND AT THAT TIME DWIGHT TOLD US WHEN IT WOULD GO LIVE. I ANNOUNCED THAT THROUGH THE CONTRACTORS. SOME OF THE THINGS WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS PROCESS THAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE FEDERAL SIDE WHICH IS THE QUALIFICATIONS -BASED SELECTION PROCESS, QBS. THAT WAS SELECTED IN 1972 WHICH ESTABLISHED A CERTAIN CRITERIA.

AND THE FEDS HAVE CERTAIN APPROACHES.

WE ALSO HAVE IN TEXAS THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROCURE MEANT -- PROCUREMENT ACT FROM THE TEXAS CODE.

THAT ALLOWS US AND DIRECTS US ON HOW TO UTILIZE OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. AND THEN WE HAVE SOME OTHER FACTOR THAT'S ARE THERE WITH REGARD WITH THE WAY TXDOT AND IF SOMEBODY DOES BUSINESS WITH US THEY HAVE TO FILL OUT THE STANDARD FORM 330 TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ALL OF THE PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENT IN THERE.

OUR PROCESS FOLLOWS. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T -- WHEN WE DO OUR BEST PRACTICES WE GO TO THE TXDOT MODEL. IT REQUIRES CADILLACS TO BE BUILD WHEN FOR US MANY TIMES WE JUST NEED A FORD PICKUP TRUCK. IT IS A VERY CUMBERSOME DEFINED PROCESS THAT REQUIRES SOMETIMES JUST 60-DAYS TO GO THROUGH A REVIEW BEFORE YOU EVEN GET TO DO SOMETHING A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THIS IS 249 ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY WHEN COMMISSIONERS' COURT VOTED TO DO 249, IT WAS 27 MONTHS LATER WHEN THE FIRST CAR DROVE ON IT.

OUR APPROACHES AND THE FACTORS WE HAD IN PLACE.

290 WHICH WAS APPROVED AT THE SAME TIME FOR US TO PARTNER WITH TXDOT, PARTS ARE STILL NOT QUITE DONE.

IT IS A MUCH MORE LENGTHY, CUMBERSOME PROCESS.

WE DON'T WANT TO GO IN THAT PATHWAY THAT WE HAVE IN OUR MIDST AS ONE OF OUR NUMBERS REPORT IS AN ENGINEER AND I ENCOURAGE TO BE -- TO BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THIS WORK. LOOKING AT THINGS IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING. I WANT TO COMMEND DWIGHT FOR THE OPENING OF THE WEBSITE THAT WE NOW HAVE AND THAT WE CAN DIRECT PEOPLE TO AND GIVES A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THIS IS GOING TOWARD LETTING PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO BE INVOLVED AND TO PARTICIPATE. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

AID JUDGE, I -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO OFFER SOME PERSPECTIVE.

I WILL FORWARD THIS TO YOUR OFFICE.

A MEMBER OF MY TEAM WAS VERY INVOLVED AND VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE FOR A LOT OF THE PROCUREMENT PROS -- PROCESS AT METRO. HE WAS MY PROCUREMENT AGENT AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. HE GIVES INSIGHT.

[02:50:02]

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE JUST MENTIONED WHICH I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT. DWIGHT AND HIS TEAM WORK VERY, VERY HARD, AND WE HAD HIM JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS AND DOING AN EMERGENCY AND TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE TRAIN THE BEST AND THEN THEY LEAVE US. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT US TO DO IS TO WORK WITH DWIGHT AND ENSURE THAT OUR SALARIES ARE COMPETITIVE SO THAT WE CAN RETAIN GOOD PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WHO ARE -- WHO CAN HANDLE THE WORKLOAD THAT WE L -- WE ARE PUTTING IN FRONT OF FOLKS.

THERE IS A LOT OF COORDINATION. I MADE A MOTION ON THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE -- OR THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. WE DID IT ONE WAY AND THEN HANDED IT OVER TO SOMEBODY ELSE IS WHO DID SOMETHING ELSE AND IT MADE FULL CIRCLE. IT IS NOW MUCH MORE STREAM LINED AND I HAVE DR. HOLLOWAY WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ON CDBG FUNDING AND CASH FLOW PROCESS AND FREKDZ -- FOR EXAMPLE, HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND THE PURCHASING PROCESS DOES A FINAL REVIEW BEFORE HAVING A PURCHASE ORDER. AND WE WANT APPROVAL TO REQUEST QUOTES BY OTHER THE USER DEPARTMENTS AND ALSO PROMOTE THE SMALL PURCHASE OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS WILL INCREASE THE NEED FOR STAFF, BUT THESE ARE SOME OF THE AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY THAT I THINK THIS COULD BRING US AND STREAM LINING THE OPERATING SYSTEMS AND THE WORKFLOWS LIKE PEOPLE SOFT AND BONFIRE AND E BUILDER AND FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND SOME DEPARTMENTS HAVE THEIR OWN SYSTEMS. AND THIS IS WHERE BEST PRACTICES WILL BE HELPFUL AND ESTABLISH A COMPLIANCE REVIEW FOR THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO ENSURE ALL PROCESSES ARE BEING FOLLOWED. FOLLOWING WITH HUD COMPLIANCE AND GRANT COMPLIANCE AND HELP GRANT COMPLIANCE AND EACH PROCUREMENT SHOULD BE REVIEWED PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE PROCUREMENT POLICY. THEY GO A LONG WAY AND I AM WORKING ON PROMPT PAYMENT STRATEGY.

THIS WILL ALL HELP IN THAT REGARD.

WE WILL HAVE TO FLOAT LESS PAYROLL BECAUSE OF THIS.

I WANT TO THANK THE PURCHASING AGENT AND HIS STAFF FOR ALL THEIR WORK. LET'S MAKE SURE THERE IS A REASON FOR THEM TO STAY AND TO LOOK -- LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND ASSESS YOUR SALARIES.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WE HAVE LANGUAGE ON HERE THAT SAYS RECRUITING, TRAINING AND DEVELOPING AND THEY WILL LOOK AT THE COMPLIANCE OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THERE IS A STREAM LINING AND

CENTRALIZATION. >> THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE ITEM ON THERE. I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TRAIN PEOPLE TO RETAIN THEM.

AND THEY ARE CONTRACTING FOR A LONGTIME.

AND WE REALLY HAD NO IDEA HOW BAD THINGS WERE.

AND THERE IS ABOUT 600,000 AND DWIGHT YOU ARE DOING A GOOD

[02:55:08]

JOB. THEY SHOW THE MINORITY GOAL ON THE CONTRACTS AND I KNOW MR. BARRY -- MR. BERRY IS LOOKING AT THAT. OF COURSE THE PORT AND METRO AND MARRIS HEALTH AND WE ORGANIZE AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND TO DO STUDIES IF NECESSARY AND PIGGY-BACK OFF OF OURS.

I THINK SOME OF THIS ARPA MONEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A ONE-TIME EXPENDITURE TO FIGURE OUT STUFF WE CAN DO TO COMPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMS. SO 20 AND 30 YEARS FROM NOW IT WON'T BE AS BAD AS THEY ARE NOW FOR MINORITY-OWNED

BUSINESSES. >> I THINK THERE SAW LOT MORE YOU CAN DO. I JUST THINK OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN NUMBER IN PARTICULAR.

.5. IT IS NOT 5%.

IT IS .5. AND THAT'S DESPITE THE PERCEPTION AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THAT BAD.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ONE COMMENT ON THOSE THAT WERE ALREADY MADE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORK -- WORKING WITH DWIGHT AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. I THINK THE KEY THING AND AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES, WE WILL KNOW WE ARE GETTING THERE IF WE START GIVING WORK LOCALLY, PARTICULARLY THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MINORITY FIRMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE LESS COMPLICATED AND I MEET WITH BUSINESS GROUPS ALMOST EVERY WEEK. THEY WANT TO UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY. SO I THINK AN OUT REACH PROGRAM IN EACH PRECINCT TARGETING THOSE PEOPLE WE KNOW WHO CAN DO THE WORK, I THINK BUILDING ON THIS, BUT WITH A GOOD EYE ON LOCAL PARTICIPATION WILL MAKE A BIG

DIFFERENCE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THE LAPPING WEDGE IS BROAD ENOUGH, BUT THE ONLY THING I DON'T SEE ON HERE IS THE SEN -- CENTRALIZATION COMMENT.

DWIGHT AND DAVE HEARD IT. WE CAN PASS THE ITEM AS PRESENTED AND THEN FOLKS KNOW TO CHECK INTO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT ABOUT LEVERAGING --

>> JUDGE I WAS JUST THINKING THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP I WENT TO A MEETING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THE MAN WHO PAID OFF THE TUITION FOR STUDENTS ENCOURAGED THE CORPORATE ROUND TABLE TO TRY TO FIND A COMPANY IN HOUSTON THAT WILL HIT THE BILLION DOLLAR ROUND TABLE.

MEANING MONEY THEY SPEND ON MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.

I THINK SHELL IS THE ONE THAT THEY ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO.

I WILL ASK FOR THEM TO MEET WITH YOU WHEN THEY COME IN.

I HOPE THIS IS BRAD -- BROAD ENOUGH SO WE CAN FIND SOMEWAY IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR FOR THESE SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE MWBE'S MOST OF THEM GOT THEIR START IN THE PUBLIC ARENA, BUT WHAT WE SPEND IS PEANUTS. IF WE CAN ENCOURAGE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM, THERE IS BONDING CAPACITY.

THEY CAN DO WORK FOR SHELL OR EXXON OR OTHER ENTITIES.

I HOPE THIS LANGUAGE IS BROAD ENOUGH TO INCORPORATE THAT.

IF NOT I WILL FIGURE OUT HOW. WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS SOME KIND OF A RESOLVING -- RESOLVING -- REVOLVING FUND.

IT WAS AT THEIR OFFICE AND BOB HARVEY WAS THERE.

THERE COULD BE ABOUT SIX CITIES WHERE THEY TRY TO GET COMPANIES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES. IT IS A BIG DEAL.

[03:00:01]

I HOPE THEY PICKED US BECAUSE OF THESE DISPARITY STUDIES.

I HOPE THE LANGE -- LANGUAGE -- I CAN ALSO BRING IT BACK. I KNOW I MENTIONED THIS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN LOOK AT THE STUFF THEY SENT.

IT IS NOT JUST TO CONTRACT WITH MWBE FIRMS FROM THE COUNTY, BUT TO HAVE A FRESHER PERSUASION AND ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE COMPANIES HERE AND ALL OF THE VENDORS TO PITCH IN

CAPACITY WITH OTHER FIRMS. >> I WANT THE MWBE'S IN NEW YORK AND CHICAGO AND ATLANTA TO BECOME LOCAL AND BE ON THE

MOVE HERE. >> SO YOU WILL BRING ANOTHER ITEM IF NEED BE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE WORKING ON THIS.

CAN WE PUT THIS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? AS PRESENTED? ITEM 268 REQUIRES A QUICK CORRECTION. WE CANNOT ACCEPT GRANTS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN AWARDED. THERE IS AN UPDATE TO THE MOTION. IT IS TO ACCEPT ALL GRANT AWARDS AND AGENDA ITEM 268 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRANT NUMBERS 2986307 AND 369-1204 WHICH HAVE NOT YET BEEN AWARDED. RESULTING IN A TOTAL REDUCTION AND WE ARE ACCEPTING FISSLE -- 5 MILLION -- THIS WILL BE A CORRECTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR JAMES.

THAT WAS 268. 272, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

A RESOLUTION ON THE PORTS -- ON THE COURTS.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION REALLY TO FOLLOW-UP ON ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE BEEN LEANING ON, JUDGE, AND HELPING US WITH.

AND THAT IS TO FURTHER DO WHAT WE CAN TO ADDRESS THE COURT CASE LOAD AND BACKLOG. SO WHILE WE HAVE DONE SOME WORK TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT BACKLOG THAT HAS RESULTED IN HURRICANE HARVEY FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND THEN THE PANDEMIC WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT OBVIOUSLY HOW WE GOT HERE AND REALLY WHERE WE ARE AT AT THAT POINT IN TIME AND WHERE WE WILL BE IN THE FUTURE IF WE JUST DON'T CHANGE SOME OF THE UNDERLING FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR CURRENT SYSTEM.

IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE HAVE ANOTHER STORM THAT APPROACHES OR EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE BY HARVEY. WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THIS WILL BE THE LAST PANDEMIC EITHER.

TWO MAJOR FACTOR THAT'S LEAD TO THE BACKLOG ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN, IF NOT MORE. WE MAY EVEN BE UP AGAINST A STORM AND WE ARE BELOW THE BASELINE IN THE RACIAL POPULATION TO FELONY COURTS COMPARED TO MAJOR COUNTIES IN TEXAS. IT IS 1.7 PER COURT.

BUT IF YOU HAVE A SYSTEM THAT CAN MOVE QUICKER AND ALL OF THE OVER TIME COSTS THAT TENDS TO GENERATE AND IF YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG IN HARRIS COUNTY, ONE YOU WILL BE CAUGHT AND NUMBER TWO IT WILL BE ADJUDICATED QUICKLY.

THE VICTIMS DESERVE THEIR DAY IN COURT.

THEY DESERVE THEIR PROP DAY IN COURT.

AND THERE IS ATTENTION THAT HARRIS COUNTY WANTS TO IMPROVE AND DO THINGS BETTER. THIS RESOLUTION READS CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS IN TEXAS WHICH HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVERALL FELONY CASES MAY ONLY BE CREATED BY THE TEXAS

[03:05:04]

LEGISLATURE. THEY HAVE 23 CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS WHICH IN THE 2020 CENSUS COMES TO ONE COURT.

AND WHEREAS DALLAS COUNTY HAS ONE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT PER 153,000 -- 153,738 RESIDENTS.

BEXAR COUNTY HAS ONE DISTRICT COURT PER 171,477 RESIDENTS AND TRAVIS COUNTY HAS ONE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT PER 143,354 RESIDENTS. AND WHEREAS HAVING SUFFICIENT CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS TO HEAR FELONY MATTERS IS CRUCIAL TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT PROTECTS US ALL AND MEETS CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDES RESOLUTIONS TO CRIME -- IT IS SUFFERING CRIMINAL BACKLOG IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAUSED BY TWO DISASTERS, A HURRICANE AND A PANDEMIC, BOTH OF WHICH INEVITABLY HILLARY OCCUR WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT MOVES EXPEDITIOUSLY TO RESOLVE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AT ALL TIMES.

AND SO BE IT RESOLVED THAT HEIRESS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT WILL HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION AND A REQUEST THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS TWO CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS AND ANY FUTURE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE 87TH LEGISLATURE UNTIL SUCH LEGISLATION PASSES. THAT IS MY RESOLUTION, JUDGE.

THIS WILL ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED WITH ANOTHER ITEM I HAVE LATER. THAT'S THE ITEM I AM PUTTING

BEFORE US. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE NOTE THAT THE CURRENT BACKLOG IS THE RESULT OF SPECIFIC ONE-TIME EVENTS IN COVID-19 AND THERE ARE ISSUES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN. FOR US AND FOR OTHER SYSTEMS, THERE IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM AND IT REQUIRES INTERSECT -- INTERCONNECTED SOLUTIONS. I THINK ALL OF US ARE TRYING TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES WHO ALREADY HAD IT.

ONE DISTRICT COURT MENTIONED EARLIER AND WE ADDED THREE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKETS. TODAY WE VOTED TO FUND STAFFING FOR SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN PROCESS OF EVIDENCE.

IF WE CONTINUE TO EXAMINE MORE EFFICIENT WAY TO SCHEDULE DOCKETS AND NUMEROUS OTHER WAYS TO ADDRESS AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH THE PERMANENT EXPANSION OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM JUST BECAUSE WE ARE BEHIND AND BECAUSE OF A PANDEMIC.

WE DON'T WANT TO -- WE DON'T WANT AN EXPENSIVE, PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A ONE-TIME PROBLEM.

IF WE DO AGREE TO THE COURTS WE NEED TO NEED ALL OF THE JUSTICE TO TAKE A STEP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

WE NEED TO BRING THE GENERAL POPULATION DOWN NOT JUST TO THE FOOTPRINT AND WE -- I THINK IF WE DO FUND NEW COURTS IN THE MIDST OF THE LIMITED FUNDS FROM TAX CUTS AND LIMITATIONS ON OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WE NEED WAYS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN HOW WE USE THE COURT SYSTEM. I SUGGEST THAT WE SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH CONSOLIDATION OF TECHNOLOGY COSTS ACROSS THE MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY COURTS AND AS COMMISSIONERS WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE CHECKBOOK AND THAT'S IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COLLEAGUES OUR PARTNERS ARE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT A BANK ACCOUNT THAT IS INCREASINGLY LIMITED. WE NEED TO TAKE NEW MORTGAGE OUT TO COME UP WITH MORE COURTS.

HAVE TO PUT THEM SOMEWHERE. WE WANT OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO BE -- THEY ARE DOING SOME CREATIVE STUFF.

I AM TOLD THEY HAVE LIBRARIES OF ALL PLACES.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SECURITY ISSUES, BUT I KNOW THE COUNTY CHAIR OR JUDGE HAS CALLED ME AND AGREED TO COME OVER HERE AND TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT HE IS DOING, OR WE CAN GO OVER THERE. WE NEED COURTS TO HELP US, BUT

[03:10:04]

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T KEEP EMPTYING THE ACCOUNT.

DID YOU SAY 1.7 MILLION? I WANT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO YOUR ITEM AND TO YOUR PROPOSED MOTION OR RESOLUTION AT THE END. I DON'T DO THIS LIGHTLY.

I KNOW HOW CHALLENGING IT IS TO CREATE NEW COURTS.

IN AUSTIN WE ARE ASKING FOR MORE COURTS AND USUALLY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR THEM.

I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN STELLAR TO GET HELP FROM THE STATE LEVEL. WE ALL WANT TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG. THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE SHALL FULLY FUND ALL OPERATIONS OF ANY ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS REFERRED TO IN THIS RESOLUTION INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF ASSOCIATE -- ASSOCIATED COURT STAFF, FACILITIES, SUPPLIES AND OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED. I WILL SECOND YOUR MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR MOTION.

>> THE STATE LEGISLATURE SHALL FULLY FUND ALL OPERATIONS OF ANY ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS REFERRED TO IN THIS RESOLUTION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF ASSOCIATED COURT STAFF FACILITIES, SUPPLIES AND OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED. IF I WAS STILL IN AUSTIN, THE FIRST PLACE I WOULD LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE WOULD BE THEIR ARPA FUNDS. THEY COULD MAKE THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT THESE COURTS ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOREVER OR FIVE TO 10 YEARS OR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES TO CLEAR UP THIS BACKLOG. AND I JUST WILL SEND IT AROUND. I ASSUMED WE SENT IT TO YOU TOO, SIR. YOU'RE QUICKER THAN ME.

THEY HAVE TO PRINT IT FOR ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW WE WOULD POSSIBLY PAY FOR THEM RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL PASS IT OVER SO YOU CAN SEE. AND BEING A FINANCE CHAIR, YOU WOULD BE AMAZED WHAT THE STATE CAN PAY FOR IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> TOM RAMSEY: NO. I'M GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' AMENDMENT. I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO THIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> JUDGE THAT WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

[Emergency/Supplemental COVID-19 items]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 273,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON 273 IT IS -- THERE WE GO. SORT OF WHAT -- TO WHAT WE WERE JUST TALKING AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME VERY PRODUCTIVE MOST OF THE TIME MEETINGS ON DIFFERENT ISSUES RELATED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS. HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE AREA THAT WE SEEM TO BE TALKING PAST EACH OTHER AND THAT IS ON AVAILABLE COURTROOM SPACE, AVAILABLE JURY DELIBERATION SPACE AND WHICH COURTROOMS ARE -- HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY EQUIPPED TO BE A FULL SERVICE COURTROOM AND WHICH ONES WOULD MAKE THE BETTER FIT FOR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND JURIES HAVE TO BE MOVED AROUND QUITE OFTEN.

AND THEN JUST THE OVERALL COORDINATION SO THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS BRINGS UP THE IDEA OF WEEKEND OR EVENING COURTS. SO JUST A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THAT AND STAFFING THAT MAY BE REQUIRED.

THERE ARE MORE ANSWERS THAN WHAT WE CAN GET TO.

I AM PROVIDING A MOTION TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE REPRESENTED FROM

[03:15:04]

FACILITIES AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND UNIVERSE SERVICES AND DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICE OF COURT MANAGEMENT AT THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING AN AVAILABLE SPACE WHICH TO CONDUCT ALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEEDINGS AND REPORT BACK TO COURT ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 26TH.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

WE WERE HAVING SUCCESS AT PEALING THE ONION.

IT HAS A LOT OF LETTERS, JUDGE.

WE HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE REAL ANSWER IS.

AND SO THAT IS MY INTENTION BY CREATING THE TASK FORCE.

I WANT TO KEEP THE TIMELINE TIGHT SO WE CAN FINALLY GET TO KNOW WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR US TO USE AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT AND WE HAVE A TRUE, SOLID INVENTORY OF. HE HAS BEEN WORKING AND LOOKING INTO THIS AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS, BUT WE STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO A GOOD ANSWER AND THAT WAY THE NECESSARY PLAYERS ARE AT ONE TABLE AND WE CAN MOVE THINGS FORWARD.

THE ONE THING THAT IS NOT A PART OF THIS MOTION, JUDGE, AND I ASK YOU TO GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO IS THAT THE JURY ASSEMBLY ROOM IS NOW OPERATIONAL AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION THAT A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN'T HAPPEN IS BEST HOW TO MANAGE THE JURORS.

AND HOW FAST THINGS HAPPEN. AND WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE THEM DURING DELIBERATIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE FACILITY SO WE CAN MAX MILD -- MAXIMIZE.

>> THANK YOU. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THANK YOU TO DAVE AND EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS AS WELL. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. >> AND FOR CLARITY THAT WAS READ DIRECTLY FROM THE AGENDA SO AS PRESENTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.

IT IS A COMPLICATED THING. THE JUDGES ARE SAYING THE JURORS WON'T COME AS LONG AS IT IS THIS HIGH.

CAN WE EXPAND IT? AND YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON IT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN WE DO TO BRING DOWN COVID TO WHERE EVERYBODY FEELS COMFORTABLE OR HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN EVEN MORE OPERATIONS IN THE SORT OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

CONTEXT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I SKIPPED ITEM. I HAVE ONE I NEED TO MENTION.

THAT IS GOING TO BE -- IT IS A BIKE RIDE THAT WE WILL DO FROM ED YOUNG'S CHURCH OVER TO SURFSIDE.

OBVIOUSLY IT WILL GO THROUGH OTHER PRECINCTS AS WELL.

YOU CAN RAISE MONEY FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES.

WE WILL HELP THEM WITH SECURITY FOR A FEW HUNDRED

MILES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE] 16 MILES AND GET OFF THERE. BUT JUST IN CASE YOU ALL DECIDE I WILL PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH THEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE

[03:20:01]

FOR PERMISSION, FOR YOUR PRECINCTS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU CAN COME TO PRECINCT ONE TO GET A

PASSPORT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ED YOUNG'S

CHURCH IS -- [INAUDIBLE] >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN ADD YOUR PRECINCTS IF NOT I WILL BE OUT THERE PRAYING WITH ED

YOUNG BY MYSELF. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL SEE ED

YOUNG THIS WEEK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR -- IT IS AUTISM AND DISABILITIES AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION A YOUNG MAN BY THE NAME OF HUNTER WHO HAS BEEN MY BUDDY SINCE HE WAS ABOUT SIX YEARS OF AGE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED WORKING FOR HIS MOTHER SHE WAS A SINGLE MOM AND SHE AND HER MOTHER WERE RAISING HIM AS A SINGLE MOM AND GRANDMA.

SHE WAS THE COURT REPORTER OF THE COURT I WAS WORKING IN.

WE ALL WORKED FOR THE COURT REPORTER IS OUR JOKE.

THE COURT REPORTER DIDN'T WORK FOR THE JUDGE.

THE JUDGE WORKED FOR THE COURT REPORTER.

SHE USED TO BRING HIM DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE.

THERE WOULD BE CHILD CARE ISSUES AND WE WOULD PLACE TOSS THE KID AND GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO HANG OUT WITH SOMEBODY OTHER THAN HIS MOM AND GRANDMA AS MUCH AS HE LOVED HIM.

HE IS NOW 20 YEARS OF AGE AND HE IS STILL MY BUDDY.

I LOVE THAT YOUNG MAN. ANYBODY THAT DOES THINGS FOR FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE SPECTRUM IT IS A SPECIAL SPOT FOR ME.

>> I MENTION THAT BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO -- ALL OF THE MONEY GOES FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS.

THE GUY WHO ORGANIZES IT, I KNEW HIS DAD WHEN HE WAS A STAFFER ON CAPITOL HILL. THE LELAND TWINS ARE IN A VERY GOOD SCHOOL. THEY WAFNT -- THEY WANT TO RIDE THE LAST FIVE MILES. I'M TELLING YOU BECAUSE YOU MAY WANT TO ADD YOURSELF TO THIS ITEM IF YOU WANT TO ADD YOUR RESOURCES. DO YOU WANT TO GET IN THERE?

>> YES, SIR. I WILL MAKE THAT FOR ALL PRECINCTS. I THINK WE WILL USE THE CITY OF HOUSTON POLICE. 6:00 IN THE MORNING THERE ARE NOT MANY CARS. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THAT

MANY. >> IT IS OKAY FOR US TO DO THIS AND FOR US TO ALL AGREE TO IT.

>> YES. EVEN THE JUDGE COULD ADD TO THIS. IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST

TIME. >> SHE HAS A STACK.

>> WE WILL ADD HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL.

IS THAT ALL RIGHT, JAMES? >> TO PARTICIPATE --

>> COURT MEMBERS AND STAFF? TO HELP WITH THE BIKE --

>> THEY CAN PUT A LITTLE MONEY IN THERE.

I WILL PAY MY HUNDRED DOLLARS AND MAYBE WE WILL GIVE THEM

SOME SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY SO WE HAVE THAT ONE. YOU ADDED THAT ONE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA? THE FINAL ITEM AND WE HAVE THREE DISCUSSION ITEMS. THIS IS RECORD-LEVEL STUFF

RIGHT HERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DON'T MESS IT

UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 274. YOU ARE ON MUTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE MUTED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'M SORRY. DROP THAT ITEM.

I THINK IT WAS TIED TO ITEM 13.

WE WILL BRING THAT UP WHEN ITEM 13 COMES BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO BACK --

>> THAT IS A NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, WE ARE JUST GOING TO TAKE IT UP WITH ITEM 13.

ALTHOUGH -- 13 HAS NO ACTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS NO

ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.

GOT IT. IT TOOK ME A SECOND THERE.

>> -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE 17

AND 18 AND THAT'S IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE WANT TO

[Department (7 of 7)]

MOVE THE CONCEPT AGENDA? >> TOM RAMSEY: I MAKE A MOVE

ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

[03:25:08]

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO WE NEED -- LET'S TAKE IT IN ORDER. THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA. AND THEN THE OTHER ITEMS ARE ITEM 17 AND 18. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 274 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ALREADY LISTED AND THE ITEMS GOING BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I MAKE A MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE, SORRY, 122 WAS THERE ACTION ON THAT? THAT'S A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE LEGISLATIVE

AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO.

>> OKAY. HOW ABOUT ITEM 239? THAT'S A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THE COUNTY POLICY AND BACK UP DOCUMENTATION FOR THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? THIS IS YOUR ITEM. WE HAVE TO PUT IT ON THE

DISCUSSION AGENDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT MOVED FROM THE DISCUSSION AGENDA BECAUSE I THINK I GOT WORD THAT WE WERE GOING TO -- WE WEREN'T GOING DOWN THIS DIRECTION ANYMORE. I WAS HAPPY AND THERE THERE

WAS NO ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THOSE ALL

YOUR QUESTIONS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL COMEPPED THE SUPREME -- COMMEND THE SUPREME BUREAUCRAT FOR ASSISTING ME WITH THAT PROCESS.

>> YES, MA'AM. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE WILL GO OVER THE TWO DISCUSSION ITEMS AND THEN WE WILL TAKE A BREAK BEFORE WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN WE WILL BE DONE.

SO DISCUSSION ITEM 17. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT TIME IS

THAT BASEBALL GAME, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT MAY HAVE STARTED ALREADY. IS IT AT 3?

>> WE ARE DOWN ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE CAN'T GET ANSWER ON ANYTHING ELSE, BUT -- [LAUGHTER]

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 17. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING WITH DR. ASIRNO WITH UT HOUSTON TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE CENTER.

I HAVE DEALT WITH MEN TALLET -- MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY MY ENTIRE PUBLIC CAREER.

IT WAS IN THIS ROLE WHEN I TRAVELED TO JOPLIN, MISSOURI TO GO AND SEE HOW THEY RECOVERED FROM THEIR HORRIFIC NATURAL DISASTER WHICH WAS A TORNADO.

EVERY TIME I BRING THIS UP, I GO BACK TO JOPLIN.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND WORK, GOI BACK TO JOPLIN -- I GO BACK TO JOPLIN, MISSOURI.

IT IS A SMALL TOWN. I FORGET.

I THINK THE POPULATION IS MAYBE 200,000.

IT IS 50,000. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I SAW A SIGN SAYING "PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AVAILABLE." AND YET IN THIS MAGNANAMOUS OF A COMMUNITY YOU DON'T SEE THAT. YET, THERE ARE SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

SOME OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING AND THEY ARE MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY. I DEALT WITH THIS WHEN I WAS A SHERIFF AND TEAMMATES IN THE MILITARY BEING DE -- DEPLOYED AND THEN COMING BACK A LITTLE BANGED UP.

IT HAS BEEN A CONCERN. AS WE HAVE DONE WITH OUR WORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OUR SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM THAT WE JUST APPROVED AND THE WORK WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH HARRIS CENTER WITH THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK THAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND TAKE THEM TO A MUCH BETTER PLACE.

AND SO I WAS NUMBER ONE IMPRESSED WITH HIS NO BS ANOTHER -- ATTITUDE. HE WANTS TO DO THINGS AND WANTS TO JUST GET IT DONE AND WHEN YOU DO THAT WORK YOU SHOULD NOT BE STRUGGLING TO FIND RESOURCES TO DO THIS.

[03:30:04]

AFTER HEARING HIS PITCH AND SEEING THE PROPOSAL.

NUMBER ONE, THIS IS AN ITEM FOR PRE SINK $2 TO SERVE COUNTY WIDE. INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALREADY PAID FOR AND IN PLACE AND HE WILL DONATE HIS TIME TO SUPERVISE THE PROGRAM. THERE IS NO START UP DELAYS.

THE SERVICES WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY.

FUNDS WILL NOT BE DIRECTED TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN SUPPORTING DIRECT SERVICE AND WILL BE FOCUSED ON UNDER INSURED POPULATIONS. THIS DATE THEY WILL PROVIDE US A QUARTERLY REPORT, AND THERE WILL BE NUMBER OF BEST PRACTICES AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES AND NUMBER OF NEW PATIENTS SEEN AND NUMBER OF HOURS DELIVERED AND EXPENDITURE OF DIRECT SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.

THE AVERAGE SCORE FOR DEPRESSION SCORES AVERAGE IMPROVEMENT IN SCORE RANGES ACROSS PATIENTS IN SLEEP AND GENERALIZED PAIN AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AVERAGE PROCESS SATISFACTION SUCH AS WAIT TIME AND TELE MEDICINE OR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. THE TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE CENTER AT UT HEALTH CURRENTLY PROVIDES EXCLUSIVELY THE GOLD STANDARD AND EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPY VIA HOME BASE TELE MEDICINE SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC TO ADJUST BARRIERS TO ACCESSING CARE IN LOWER INCOME POPULATIONS TO SURVIVORS OF TRAUMA AND EXTREME STRESS EVENTS. THEY TEND TO SEE THE WORST OF THE WORST TRAUMA-RELATED CASES AND HAS CREATED SPECIALTY TRACKS FOR FAMILIES. FIRST RESPONDERS, FUNDING ENDED ON OCTOBER 1ST. THEY HAVE SPECIALTY UNFUNDED TRACKS FOR FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH FUMED -- FUNDING AND TO REESTABLISH FUNDING FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS BECAUSE THE NEED IS SO GREAT AND IS EXASPERATED BY THE COVID-19 STRESSES. THE PAST YEAR REQUESTS FOR TRC SERVICES HAS INCREASED OVER 300% DIRECTLY RELATED TO COVID 19. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS A COMMITMENT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE SPECIALIZED SERVICES. I ALWAYS REFER TO THOSE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD AS MECHANICS OF THE HUMAN MIND AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND WHO ARE SUFFERING AND SOME ARE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THEIR JOBS.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR THAT. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FIND THEIR WAYS TO THE COUNTY JAIL NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD PEOPLE. THEY ARE JUST SICK.

I HOPE ONE DAY PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND PLACE AND A GOOD PLACE TO DO BUSINESS AND THE BEST PLACE TO BRING A BUSINESS TO AND THE BEST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY AND THE BEST PLACE THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF SOMEONE IF SOMETHING INSIDE THE HUMAN MIND NEEDS HELP. AND I CAN'T THANK THOSE ENOUGH IN THE PSYCHIATRY FIELD FOR WHAT THEY DO IT IS COME PLAW CHEATED AND IT IS -- IT IS COMPLICATED AND IT IS DIFFICULT. BUT THE ONE PERSON FOR ME THAT HAS BEEN REALLY AN ADVOCATE I GUESS IS THE RIGHT WORD, BUT SOMEONE WHO REALLY GOT MY ATTENTION AND THAT WAS GEORGE PARNAM. GEORGE REPRESENTED ANDREA YATES IN THE HORRIFIC EVENTS THAT RESULTED IN THE LIVE -- LIFE OF HER BABY. IT WAS NOT THAT SHE WAS A BAD PERSON, BUT SHE WAS INCREDIBLY ILL.

EVERYBODY WAS SHOCKED BY THE HORROR, BUT GEORGE WAS ABLE TO

[03:35:06]

BRING THIS BACK TO THE HUMAN BEING AND HUMANIZE WHO AN -- ANDREA YATES WAS AND WHAT SHE WAS STRUGGLING WITH.

OBVIOUSLY THIS PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED SO MUCH STRESS ACROSS THE BOARD FROM OUR CONSTITUANTS TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND WHEN I HEARD DR. SERNO'S PROPOSAL AND REQUEST I COULDN'T WAIT TO -- I SAID HE NEEDS SOMEBODY NOW AND I JUST COULDN'T -- I WAS NOT ABOUT TO MAKE HIM WAIT IN LINE OR WORK THROUGH THE BUREAUCRACY. THIS IS MY COMMITMENT TO THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN OUR COUNTY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GREAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT A MOTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? WE MAY HAVE TO COME BACK ON THIS ONE. COMMISSIONER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, I. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEN IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 18 AND THAT IS ON THE BACKLOG. DAVE, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE US A

BRIEF UPDATE? >> JUDGE, WE ARE BRINGING TWO SPECIFIC ITEMS TODAY. BOTH OF WHICH I THINK ARE VERY PROMISING INVESTMENTS AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THEM COMING TO FRUITION. THE FIRST IS INVESTMENTS TO TACKLE THE EVIDENCE BACKLOG AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

AS I THINK WE HAVE ALL HEARD FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE VOLUME OF EVIDENCE HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY.

THAT IS DUE TO ELECTRONIC RECORDS AND BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE. THERE IS A TWO-PART STRATEGY HERE MY TEAM HAS WORKED ON WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

I THINK IT IS SMART. THE SHORT-TERM SURGE OF LABOR TO GET THROUGH THE BACKLOG OF EVIDENCE, AND THEN OVER THE MEDIUM TERM INVESTMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER MANAGE THE DATA COMING IN FROM 86 DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCE DASH DARR ENFORCEMENT -- LAW ENFORCE -- LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. I THINK IT IS A GOOD MODEL OF HOW WE SHOULD WORK. WE CAN PROVIDE A SURGE OF LABOR TO CATCH UP ON THE BACKLOG, BUT WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER WAY OF WORKING. WE CAN'T ALWAYS FIND MORE PERMANENT PEOPLE. THE SECOND ITEM IS FUNDING FOR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES PROGRAMS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DISTRICT COURTS FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD. IT WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE.

THIS INCLUDE SIX JUDGESHIPS AND ALONG WITH FUNDING FOR ALL ASSOCIATED STAFF TO MAKE THOSE JUDGES EFFECTIVE FROM BAILIFFS TO PROSECUTORS AND TO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SUPERVISION AGENCIES. I DO THINK ON THIS TOPIC COMMISSIONER ELLIS WENT THROUGH EARLIER ALL OF THE THINGS THIS COURT HAS DONE AND I HOPE TO HAVE MORE CLEARANCE RATES, BUT I THINK THAT IS WELL OVER 100% FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND AND THAT HAS NOT INCLUDED THE EFFECTS OF THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND THE EFFECTS OF NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKETS AND THE EFFECT OF A NEW DISTRICT COURT THAT WAS ADDED THAT STARTED IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

CAN WE DO MORE? QUITE POSSIBLY.

DO WE NEED TO DO MORE? QUITE POSSIBLY.

I THINK WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS ON THIS ISSUE.

IT HAS BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FROM THIS COURT AS WELL AS ALL OF THE MANY AGENCIES AND THE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE THE NUMBERS TRENDING DOWN.

IT WAS PRETTY STRIKING THE PRESENTATION ON THE EVIDENCE INEFFICIENCIES. THAT SHOULD BE A GAME CHANGER FOR THE LONG-TERM. DO FOLKS HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS

ON THIS ITEM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD WORK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND

BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> FOR CLARITY WHAT IS THE

ACTUAL MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ITEM 18 AND IT IS SIMPLY MOTION FOR -- ACTION ON THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG INCLUDING, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

>> SO AS PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: AS

PRESENTED. >> MINUS THE WORD POSSIBLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. SO A MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL

IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT WE NOW ONLY HAVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS WHICH IS 258 ON

[Executive Session ]

INTERNAL COUNTY SECURITY OPERATIONS AND 263 ON

[03:40:02]

LITIGATION FOR TCQ STANDARDS AND ITEM 270 ON LITIGATION RELATIVE TO SYSTEMIC ERRORS. IT IS 2:12.

I PROPOSE WE MEET AT 2:20 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THANK YOU. I DOUBT IT.

HE DIDN'T PICK UP. IT IS 3:19 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. SO WE HAD THREE ITEMS. THE FIRST IS 258 AND THERE ARE TWO MOTIONS.

THE FIRST MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO CREATE AN MOU BETWEEN THE OCA AND ALL COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT WOULD ALLOW OCA TO SERVE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR SECURITY SERVICES.

IT WILL BE FOR ALL SECURITY SERVICES TO CONTINUE IF PROP -- APPROPRIATE. THE SECOND IS TO DIRECT THE COUNTY OF OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION TO DETERMINE THE OVERALL NEEDS FOR SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE SEVEN MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR 22 AND FITS -- FISCAL YEAR 22-23 AND WORKING DATES OFF THE COURT APPROVED SECURITY ASSESSMENT AND THE COMMUNICATION WITH THE FACILITY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE. TO CONDUCT A SURVEY OF COUNTY

DEPARTMENTS WITHIN 45 DAYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE --

>> I WILL VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE MAKES THE MOTION ON BOTH AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?